The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has approbated the agitations of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on the payment of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to public workers in a press conference on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 in Ho.
The conference which was addressed by the NAGRAT Volta regional Chair, Mr. David Gellie called on the government of Ghana to consider the high cost of living due to the deteriorating economic conditions of teachers and for that matter, workers in general. he further explained the fact that prices of goods and services have seen an astronomical rise coupled with over 50% increment in petroleum products from January 2022 to date and believes the unfortunate situation has aggravated the already precarious state of the Ghanaian teacher.
“My brothers and sisters, the Volta Regional branch of NAGRAT is adding its voice to the fact that the patience of teachers is over stretched and leadership of the region cannot guarantee the reaction of members if the government does not grant the COLA of 20% at the end of June, 2022”. He added.
on May 1 this year, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Yaw Baah, on behalf of Organised Labour during the celebration of National Workers’ Day held at the Black Star Square in Accra, made a request to the President demanding the payment of the said Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to workers by the government.
“Mr. President, I would like to conclude with a special request. Given the rising cost of living, due to high inflation in the country, we would like to humbly appeal to you to use your executive powers to grant a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) of at least 20 percent to all public service workers including the Armed Forces, the Police Service, the Prison Service, the Immigration Service and all security and Intelligence Agencies”.
Prior to this request by the Secretary General of TUC, in November 2021, NAGRAT, GNAT, CCT and TEWU had made similar requests to the government.
Again, on 7th June, 2022, the Vice President of NAGRAT, Mr. Jacob Anaba held a press conference, requesting the government to as a matter of urgency grant workers Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) of at least 20 percent to ameliorate the hardship that the Ghanaian worker is facing.
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has affirmed that if by close of June, 2022 their request for the payment of the Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA) is not heeded to by the government, they shall lay down their tools.
