The Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) Branch of the Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (TUTAG) has raised concerns about the implementation of the new retirement benefit component in their conditions of service.
Due to alleged ambiguity in the interpretation, the TUTAG-BTU branch has threatened to embark on an industrial action starting from July 31, 2023.
The management of BTU seeks clarification on the end-of-service benefit (ESB) clause for Technical Universities to determine whether they should proceed with the payment of retirement benefits for the TUTAG-BTU branch.
However, the TUTAG-BTU branch contends that Article 16 of the conditions of service clearly outlines the criteria for ESB, requiring payment after ten years of continuous service or upon reaching voluntary or compulsory retirement age, or in the event of death while in service.
They also refer to Section 42, Clause 6 of the Technical Universities Act, 2016, Act 922 (As Amended), which unequivocally addresses the ESB for employees of polytechnics transitioning to Technical Universities.
Having served letters to the National Labour Commission (NLC) and the Vice Chancellor of BTU, the TUTAG-BTU branch insists on adhering to the interpretation enshrined in the Technical Universities Act and calls for immediate commencement of ESB payments based on the approved conditions of service, similar to other Technical Universities in the country.
Failure to comply with their demands may result in a strike action beginning on July 31, 2023.