Paying neutrality allowance to CLOGSAG would be an error – Dr Koko Asante
The Centre for Democratic Development Ghana has lashed out at the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana over its industrial action demanding the payment of neutrality allowance.
According to the Centre, the Association should rather channel its energies into requesting a level playing field regarding service conditions among public sector workers.
“I really feel CLOGSAG should be pulling back from this course of action”, says Dr Kojo Asante, Director of Advocacy and Policy engagement at the Centre.
On Thursday, April 21, 2022, CLOGSAG commenced a strike action following the government’s failure to pay the allowance as agreed upon in January this year.
The association has already indicated that they will resume work on the condition that government makes a commitment to pay them the allowances due them.
But CDD’s Dr Kojo Asante is of the view that the striking Association is on a wild goose chase.
“What they should all join hands in is this inequity excess with conditions of service in the different public service that creates a certain unfairness. That may be affecting morale in the public sector. This is what is sustainable, the path they are going is not sustainable.”
Mr Asante questioned the legality and constitutionality of the agreement on neutrality allowance.
He argues that it was wrong for the government to have considered paying an allowance of a responsibility imposed on them by the constitution.
“I am shocked that government will agree to this in the first place. I describe it as a tautology. How are you rewarding someone for something they are supposed to do as part of their responsibilities? The allowance must be declared unconstitutional. It is illegal in the first place for rewarding someone for something they are obligated to do and are paid for. It is like an unjust reward.”
