The National Identification Authority (NIA) workers, under the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), have announced an industrial strike action set to begin on Monday, October 7, 2024.
This decision comes in response to what the workers describe as the NIA management’s “unacceptable failure” to operationalize a newly approved Scheme of Service (SoS).
In a formal notice addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NIA, the union leadership expressed deep frustration over the lack of action despite numerous appeals.
The statement, signed by Divisional Secretary Adu Kyeremeh Kwabena and Divisional Chairman Francis Bangfudeme Nyuzaghl, outlines how repeated efforts to engage NIA management on the implementation of the SoS have yielded no results.
Key Issues Leading to the Strike
The workers argue that the SoS, which was approved in record time by the Public Services Commission (PSC) in March 2024, remains a critical instrument for their welfare and professional development. However, management’s refusal to implement it has been described as a “blatant betrayal of trust” and a “direct attack on their well-being.”
The union further highlighted two major attempts to address the issue, both of which were ignored by NIA leadership:
- On September 9, 2024, the union formally requested a meeting with the Executive Secretary to discuss a roadmap for implementing the SoS. No response was received.
- On September 17, 2024, the union wrote to the NIA board chairman, copying the Executive Secretary, with a demand to migrate staff to the new SoS by September 30. Again, no feedback was provided.
Industrial Action Details
As a result of management’s inaction, the NIA Division of the PSWU has resolved to lay down tools starting Monday. All union members are expected to participate in the strike, which will continue until the SoS is fully operationalized.
In their statement, the union leaders stressed that this strike is a last resort after “exhaustive patience” and repeated requests for resolution. They maintain that the new SoS is essential for the “collective survival and progress” of NIA workers.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
