Ghana news-The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has demanded that deductions that surfaced on the salary of teachers this June be stopped immediately.
They say though the Association was consulted on the deductions, no consensus was reached.
A press statement released by the Association accused government of implementing teacher unfriendly policies.
“In as much as leadership of the unions at the national level were consulted on this particular “GES sic insurance policy”, there was no consensus on its implementation. It is therefore worrisome and unethical for the employer to proceed with deductions without recourse to the teacher who is a direct stakeholder and beneficiary.
It is also worth noting that the employer can only impose an insurance policy on its employees if the employer is the sole sponsor. Any additional contribution or top-up from the employee should be well negotiated and explained to the employee to complete a form to that effect. With insurances, there should be an insurer and a policy holder. The consent of the policy holder is key because the holder pays the premium. In this case, who is the identifiable policy holder? If the policy holder is the employer (GES), then GES has to pay for teachers.”
Read the full statement below:
GHANA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS (GNAT) – ASHANTI REGION
Press Release!
Ladies and Gentlemen of the media, our attention has been drawn to a deduction which has surfaced on teachers’ salary for the month of June, 2018 and we wish to state that Ghana Education Service should halt and stop the deduction with immediate effect.
Teachers, over the past few years have suffered at the hands of the employer due to the implementation of teacher unfriendly policies. In as much as leadership of the unions at the national level were consulted on this particular “GES sic insurance policy”, there was no consensus on its implementation. It is therefore worrisome and unethical for the employer to proceed with deductions without recourse to the teacher who is a direct stakeholder and beneficiary.
It is also worth noting that the employer can only impose an insurance policy on its employees if the employer is the sole sponsor. Any additional contribution or top-up from the employee should be well negotiated and explained to the employee to complete a form to that effect. With insurances, there should be an insurer and a policy holder. The consent of the policy holder is key because the holder pays the premium. In this case, who is the identifiable policy holder? If the policy holder is the employer (GES), then GES has to pay for teachers.
We have taken notice of a message purported to be emanating from GES instructing teachers who do not want to join to write to GES through their unions. We see this as a means to intimidate teachers who may opt out. Ghana Education Service should rather stop the deduction, refund the 10 cedis deducted and roll out forms for members who wish to join to fill.
In addition, this policy was never discussed at our national delegates conference for approval. The union has the right to effect deductions only when the National Delegates Conference has approved. No union leader therefore has the right to authorize such deductions especially when it is a life cover insurance without the consent of the teacher.
Again, the Ghana National Association of Teachers has already rolled out a similar policy for its members known as the “GNAT Heritage Cash back Plan” which is optional. All monies contributed to the cash back plan are refundable in case nothing happens to the contributor. In this case, monies contributed are not refundable. Moreover, no teacher has submitted the details of beneficiaries in case of death or incapacitation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we entreat our members to stay calm but be on the alert as any attempt to impose the policy on teachers would warrant a severe agitations from our members and leadership.
Thank you.
Head of Media Relations
0200690004
What do you think about this piece? Share your comment in the comment thread and share the story using the social media buttons above. Thank you.
Then the money should be refunded back with interest.
In addition this is tantamount to thievery .
I stand by the content of this press release.
Why teachers with this compulsory insurance policy but not other departments like the health service?
Aboa! they better refund my money If not trouble