Doctors, nurses and other health workers to strike over COLA

More unions have declared their intentions to join the worrying COLA strike and the latest to threaten to withdraw their services are Doctors, nurses and other health workers.

Across the country, health workers have issued a notice that unless their Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is paid, they will withdraw their services. The unions include the Ghana Medical Association, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, the Health Services Workers’ Union, and the Government and Hospital Pharmacists’ Association.

Doctors, nurses and other health workers to withdraw services over COLA

Joint health sector unions and professional associations issued a statement sighted by NewsGhana24 saying they will cease providing in-patient and out-patient care by August 1, 2022, if the government does not address their issues. After a labour union and government meeting on Tuesday, July 12 ended without agreement, the associations have decided to take action.

READ: Breaking: Universities’ Senior Staff Association joins COLA strike

“Unfortunately, like other members of organised labour, we are yet to receive a favourable response from the government. The statement indicated

“We, therefore, serve notice to government as an employer that if by July 22, 2022 the negotiations on COLA is not completed, the aforementioned health sector unions will have no other choice than to embark on a series of actions,” the statement revealed.

The workers have, to this effect, spelt out actions they will be taking to register their displeasure.

“Wearing of red arm/wristband in all health facilities – 25th July to 27th July, 2022. Withdrawal of Out-Patient Department (OPD) Services – 28th to 31st July, 2022. Withdrawal of OPD and In-patient services – August 1, 2022,” the statement outlined.

Across the country, labour unions are demanding that the government pay members 20% of their basic salary as COLA to cushion against the current economic hardships.

The current posture of the government has not helped calm matters, as the government has indicated it will only negotiate with striking unions if they call off the strike. The 4th July Industrial strike declared by four pre-tertiary education unions has escalated with other unions joining to demand the same COLA.

On Tuesday July 12, 2022, the government met organised labour but representatives of some teacher unions walked out of the meeting, thus necessitating an adjournment by the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah.

Read the full statement below: