Ghana Health Ministry urges lab workers to end strike

GHANA—The Ministry of Health has appealed to the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) to call off its strike, which commenced on June 17, urging them to return to the negotiation table.

The strike follows the lapse of the strike notice issued on June 3, which was served to the National Labour Commission (NLC), Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Ministries of Employment & Labour Relations, Health and Finance, and all relevant agencies.

The union had emphasized that the strike will significantly impact services provided by their members in medical laboratories, blood banks, pathology laboratories, and selected mortuary facilities across the country.

MELPWU declared the strike after inconclusive negotiations with the FWSC, which the union described as disappointing.

The negotiations, which have been ongoing for nearly two years, have not yielded the desired outcomes for the union.

According to MELPWU, the government failed to respond to their demands in a timely manner, with key issues such as better conditions of service and financial clearance for non-mechanized members remaining unresolved.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health acknowledged the strike notice and emphasized that the majority of the items proposed by MELPWU have been agreed upon by the Government Negotiations Team.

However, allowances for Uniforms, Special Projects, Unsociable hours, and Communication proposed by the union are still under various stages of negotiation.

The Ministry’s statement further highlighted its readiness to continue negotiations, noting that the Government Negotiations Team, led by the FWSC, has had extensive engagements with MELPWU since 2023.

The negotiations are guided by both internal and external relativities to ensure fairness and equity. The team includes representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

The Ministry of Health made a heartfelt appeal to the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers to exercise patience as the Government Negotiation Team, supported by the Ministry, expedites the negotiation process.

The Ministry went on to assure MELPWU of its utmost cooperation and respect for the union’s dedication to its members’ welfare, expressing hope that, in the spirit of cooperation, the strike would be called off as soon as possible.

The Ministry underscored the importance of the services provided by MELPWU members and acknowledged the critical role they play in the healthcare system.

It reiterated its commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the union and ensuring that the negotiations lead to a mutually beneficial resolution. 

For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook