Prolonged negotiations with Fair Wages and Salaries Commission prompt industrial action affecting public healthcare services
The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) has announced a nationwide strike starting on June 17, 2024, due to the lack of Conditions of Service for its members. The union has been negotiating with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) for nearly two years, but the delayed negotiations have prompted the strike to pressure the government to conclude negotiations. Laboratory services in public hospitals across the country will be unavailable from June 17, adversely affecting health care delivery.
MELPWU served a strike notice to the National Labour Commission, FWSC, Ministries of Employment & Labour Relations, Health and Finance, and all relevant agencies. The union’s executives described the outcome of a negotiation meeting with the FWSC as disappointing and accused the FWSC and Ministry of Finance of not demonstrating good faith. The National Executive Council approved the demands of membership to proceed on a full-blown industrial strike action to press home the needed attention and importance to the union’s concerns.
The union comprises Medical Laboratory Scientists, Technicians, and Assistants who provide laboratory diagnostic services in clinical laboratories and blood banks under the Ministry of Health and allied agencies. It also includes the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Teaching Hospitals, Health Training Institutions, Ahmadiyya Health Services Ghana, and University of Ghana Medical Centre. Laboratory professionals who provide technical services in Pathology Laboratories and selected mortuary facilities will be impacted by the strike.