Resolve Second Tier Pension impasse - TEWU

The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) has called on government to take immediate steps to resolve the impasse on the Second Tier Pension Scheme to ensure its operationalization to the fullest benefit of contributors.

The role of the education worker in quality education delivery could not be overemphasised and TEWU is of the opinion that employees of the education sector did not deserve the state of affairs surrounding the scheme.

Mr. Augustine Saakuur-Karbo, the Deputy General Secretary of TEWU said this when he delivered a speech on behalf of the General Secretary, during the Upper West TEWU Regional Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Wa.

He noted that education workers were in both accessible and inaccessible areas in the country, rendering dedicated services as their contribution towards the development of the nation’s human resource, but “it was sad to note that when these personnel proceeded on retirement or pass on, claiming of their pension benefits becomes challenging.”

“TEWU is concerned very much about the failure of government and employers to meet their part of our conditions of service to the extent of undermining the provisions of the manpower required for effective and efficient work”, he said.

Mr. Saakuur-Karbo urged government to hold the bull by the horn and improve the educational industry if the country was to develop rapidly.

The Deputy General Secretary of TEWU assured all that the union would continue to pursue concerns brought before the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), relating to category Two and Three Allowances, the market Premium, the approved annual incremental pay jumps, which government and employers were reneging on.

Mr. Peter K. Lumor, National Chairmen of TEWU, warned that the Union would advise itself appropriately if by end of August, the challenges with respect to negotiating their category Two and Three Allowances continue to persist.

He assured members that leadership of the tnion was not sleeping on the job but working hard to ensure that the conditions of service was improved for all members.

Mr. Valentine Domapiele, the Upper West Regional Director of Education, in a speech read on his behalf, stated that the attempt by state and non-state actors to improve education had remained a challenge.

He appealed to TEWU to reaffirm commitment to assist government in the delivery of quality education by exhibiting high level of professionalism in their work.

Mr. Bismark Bawa, the Upper West Regional Secretary of TEWU raised concern about the delays in loans to members, coupled with over deductions and appealed to national leadership to address such challenges to boost members trust in the fund.