By The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) has declared a nationwide strike, effective from June 17, 2024. The strike is in response to the absence of adequate Conditions of Service for its members.
The strike comes after failed negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on May 31, 2024, which the union found to be “disappointing.”
After nearly two years of negotiations, the union’s patience has worn thin due to the prolonged delay, prompting the strike as a means to compel the government to finalize negotiations on Conditions of Service.
As a consequence, laboratory services in public hospitals nationwide will be unavailable starting June 17, significantly impacting healthcare delivery.
On Monday, June 3, MELPWU served a strike notice to the National Labour Commission (NLC), FWSC, Ministries of Employment & Labour Relations, Health, Finance, and all pertinent agencies.
The notice, signed by MELPWU’s General Secretary, Dr. Cephas Kofi Akortor, expressed disappointment with stakeholders, citing the “undue delay in concluding negotiations with the union” and the lack of financial clearance for non-mechanized members as reasons for the strike.
As per the union’s statement, the notice is issued under Section 159 of the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651).
Following a negotiation meeting with the FWSC, the union’s executives held a press briefing where they characterized the meeting’s outcome as “disappointing.” They accused both the FWSC and the Ministry of Finance of lacking good faith in their dealings.
Justifying the action, the notice stated, “Without prejudice to the directives given by the National Labour Commission on 30th May 2024, we recognise that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ministry of Finance are deliberately frustrating the efforts of a rather peaceful union that is ensuring that Labour-Management relationship does not suffer.”
“To prevent a rather explosive situation that cannot be easily managed by the union, the National Executive Council at an emergency meeting, approved the demands of membership to proceed on a full-blown industrial strike action effective Monday 17th June 2024 to enable them to press home the needed attention and importance to be given to the concerns of the union.
“Thus, services provided by our members in all medical laboratories, blood banks, pathology laboratories, and selected mortuary facilities will be impacted,” the notice stated.
The union’s membership consists of Medical Laboratory Scientists, Medical Laboratory Technicians, and Medical Laboratory Assistants who deliver laboratory diagnostic services across all clinical laboratories and blood banks under the Ministry of Health, as well as allied agencies such as the Ghana Health Service and the National Blood Service.
Moreover, the union encompasses entities such as the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Teaching Hospitals, Health Training Institutions, Ahmadiyya Health Services Ghana, and the University of Ghana Medical Centre, among others.
Additionally, it comprises laboratory professionals offering technical services in Pathology Laboratories and selected mortuary facilities nationwide.
