The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana says it would be embarking on a nationwide strike beginning October 01, 2020, following government’s reluctance to resolve their grievances.
According to the association, the strike is to ramp up pressure on the government until it meets them at the negotiation table.
“…having become tired of its inactions and being aware that the Government appears to be nowhere near taking a serious look at the grievances of the MOWAG, pursuant to resolving same problems, the MOWAG, under article 159 of the Labour Law (Act 651) has now initiated this industrial strike action till its demands are met.”
The leadership of the Association, thus asked all Mortuary Workers in public health institutions: Ghana Health Service, CHAG, Teaching Hospitals, University Hospitals and other quasi health institutions to adhere to the directive and lay down their tools until further notice.
This is the umpteenth time the mortuary workers have embarked on a similar strike to protest poor working conditions and salaries.
The issues include but not limited to the:
1. Unresolved issues of salaries, allowances, job placements and promotions (Conditions of Service).
2. 50% bonus promised by the President to motivate front-line health workers but denied Mortuary Workers without explanation even after petitioning His Excellency the President.
3. Mechanization and Employment of mortuary workers as long ago agreed by the MOH and the MOWAG.
4. Non-provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to guarantee safety against the Pandemic and other diseases that are confronted on daily basis at the mortuaries despite all the assurances from the government.
5. Victimization/intimidation of some members of the MOWAG by some institutional heads contrary to the spirit behind the Labour Act, 2003 (Act, 651).
6. Labour Department’s refusal/failure to respect and obey the directive of the National Labour Commission after the Commission directed, over a year ago that, it does not support or condone illegality as in the case of the unlawful withdrawal of the MOWAG’s collective Bargaining Certificate,(CBC), and therefore tasked the Department to resolve
