Medical laboratory scientists declare nationwide strike

Medical laboratory scientists declare nationwide strike

In a new development in Ghana, MELPWU, popularly known as Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union, has declared a nationwide strike starting June 17, 2024.

This is due to the lack of good conditions of service for its members.

This strike action came after an unsuccessful negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) dated on 31st May, 2024. The Union described it as “disappointing”.

It is significant to know that the union has been in negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission almost two years now.

The delayed negotiations is what has compelled the union to go on a strike. The strike action, the union believes, would pressure the government to work on negotiating conditions of service for the members of the union.

All laboratory services in government hospitals across Ghana, according to the union, would stop working starting the 17th of June, 2024.

MELPWU, on Monday, June 3 served a strike notice to the National Labour Commission (NLC), FWSC, Ministries of Employment & Labour Relations, Health and Finance, and all relevant agencies.

The notice,was signed by the union’s General Secretary, Dr Cephas Kofi Akortor, he expressed disappointment at stakeholders, citing “undue delay in concluding negotiations with the union,” and “lack of financial clearance for non-mechanised members” as the reasons for the strike.

According to the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union, the notice is under Section 159 of the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651).

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The frontliners of the union, at a press briefing after a negotiation meeting with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, described the outcome of that meeting as “disappointing,” and accused the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and Ministry of Finance of not demonstrating good faith.

Justifying the strike 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.

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“Thus, services provided by our members in all medical laboratories, blood banks, pathology laboratories, and selected mortuary facilities will be impacted,” the notice stated.

Membership under the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union are Medical Laboratory Scientists, Medical Laboratory Technicians, and Medical Laboratory Assistants who provide laboratory diagnostic services in all clinical laboratories and blood banks under the Ministry of Health and allied agencies including the Ghana Health Service, and National Blood Service.

The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Teaching Hospitals, Health Training Institutions, Ahmadiyya Health Services Ghana and University of Ghana Medical Centre, among others are all under the Union.

The Union also includes laboratory professionals who provide technical services in Pathology Laboratories and selected mortuary facilities in the country.

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