NLC orders striking university staff to return to work, citing breach of Labour Act
The directive, backed by Section 139(1)(d) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), targets the Senior Staff Association—Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG).
The National Labour Commission (NLC) has issued a firm directive to three major university staff unions, ordering them to immediately end their ongoing strike action or face legal consequences.
The directive, backed by Section 139(1)(d) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), targets the Senior Staff Association—Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG).
The unions launched an indefinite nationwide strike on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, protesting what they describe as the government’s prolonged failure to honor a service condition agreement that has remained unresolved for over six months.
However, the NLC says the action is in violation of established dispute resolution procedures under Ghanaian labor law.
In a statement signed by Acting Executive Secretary Dr. Bernice A. Welbeck, the commission revealed it had been notified of the unions’ intent to strike on May 12 and responded swiftly. By May 13, it had summoned both the unions and the government to appear at a scheduled hearing on May 21, urging all parties to suspend any industrial action in line with Section 160 of the Labour Act.
Despite this directive, union members proceeded with their walkout, a move that government representatives formally confirmed during the hearing. The unions also jointly released a press statement reaffirming the strike under the headline: “SSA-UoG, TUAAG and FUSSAG Embark on Indefinite Strike Over Government’s Continued Breach of Agreement.”
In response to what it termed “non-compliance,” the NLC cited Section 161 of the Labour Act and announced it would not proceed with any further mediation or hearing until the strike is officially called off.
Legal analysts say the Commission’s stance underscores the mandatory nature of labour dispute protocols in Ghana, which require parties to exhaust established resolution mechanisms before resorting to industrial action.
The standoff leaves critical university administrative functions in limbo, with thousands of students and institutional operations caught in the crossfire.
The ball now lies in the unions’ court—either return to the negotiation table or risk legal sanctions under Ghana’s labour laws.
