Mortuary workers put strike on hold

The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana have resolved to suspend their impending strike billed for November 20.

The group had earlier threatened to stage a nationwide strike citing low wages and unfavourable conditions of service as the cause.
The strike was called off after a show of good faith following a meeting with the Minister of Health, Kweku Agyeman-Manu, and other officials of the health ministry.

The mortuary workers had blamed their intention to strike on their low wages and poor conditions of service.

General Secretary for the Association, Richard Jordan, in an interview with Citi News said the strike remains on hold until their meetings are held with the Ministry and the National Labour Commission, which has been scheduled for November 21st.

The group release a statement regarding their decision to embark on the strike.

Read the full statement below:

MORTUARY WORKERS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA TO EMBARK ON STRIKE

It is regrettable that our concerns should have reached this apex such that we have no alternative than to resort to a nationwide industrial action that is envisaged will bring a profound result.

You may wish to note that the following series of complaints per the proposals submitted upon the request of the Ministry of Health, no fruitful responses and outcomes were received.

Some of the issues of concern which borders on illegalities are enumerated as follows

1. Many of the Mortuary Workers are denied perpetual their annual leave in violation of section 20 of Act 651.

2. Most Mortuary Workers work more than the required 8 hours including Saturdays and Sundays in violation of section 33 of Act 651.

3. Most have been employed as casual and temporary workers in violation of section 74 and 75 of Act 651, which does not guarantee job security especially in the environment in which they work.

4. In terms of remuneration, it is unfortunate to state that Mortuary workers are treated as most unrecognized in the sector and for that matter, least paid on the salary structure of Ministry of Health with no single allowance.

5. Many of the Mortuary facilities are understaffed, no maintenance which compromises on health and safety rules of the sector making the workers unnecessary to suffer in silence.

6. In terms of their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), some have to struggle to get them to use making the working conditions at some facilities undesirable.

7. There is no provision for universal medical checkups plan in violation of sections 118 of Act 651.

8. No overtime is paid which is in violation of section 35.

9. They are not paid for public holidays in violation of section 72 of Act 651.

10. They work on weekends on which are resting days by law which will amount to overtime but are not paid.

In summary, these are some irregularities or illegalities being perpetrated against this class of workers by the Ministry of Health and its agencies with impunity.

It is therefore surprising that the Ministry of Health does not see these infringements on the rights of the Ghanaian Mortuary worker and is reluctant to resolving them. Hence our resort to an industrial action (STRIKE) starting from Tuesday, 20th November 2018.

Total withdrawal of all services until we are convinced that our concerns presented to the Ministry of Health are fully addressed.

Meanwhile, we wish to take this opportunity to sympathize with the public who will be inconvenient in this trying times.

We also wish to state clearly that any intimidation or attempt from any agency, department or institution under Ministry of Health to any Mortuary Worker in the country will be met with equal force during the period of our strike.

Thank you.

For: Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG)

RICHARD KOFI JORDAN
(GENERAL SECRETARY)