NLC declares Nurses and Midwives’ strike illegal as court orders them back to work

A High Court has granted an injunction forcing nurses and midwives to end their nationwide strike and return to work immediately. The ruling, secured by the National Labour Commission (NLC) on Thursday, June 5, 2025, comes after the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) went ahead with industrial action despite the NLC calling it illegal.

The strike, which started on Tuesday, June 4, has disrupted healthcare services across the country. Many hospitals are struggling to manage patient care, especially in outpatient and emergency departments. The nurses and midwives are demanding the implementation of their 2024 Collective Agreement, which they say has been delayed for too long. This agreement includes improvements in their working conditions and salaries.

Before the strike began, the NLC had instructed the GRNMA to hold off on any planned protests or withdrawal of services. This directive was based on the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), and was meant to allow room for negotiation. GRNMA had earlier written to the NLC on May 29, 2025, announcing its intention to strike.

However, when the NLC invited GRNMA for a meeting on Wednesday, June 4, the association did not attend. Representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission were present. Due to the GRNMA’s absence, the NLC declared the strike illegal.

“The Commission declares the industrial action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association as illegal and directs them to call it off with immediate effect,” the NLC said in a statement released on June 4.

Following the High Court’s injunction, all GRNMA members of over 128,000 nurses and midwives are now legally required to return to their jobs.

The NLC has also asked GRNMA to resume talks with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission about the delayed agreement and to report progress by June 25, 2025.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking workers to consider the health of patients and return to the negotiation table. He urged both sides to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing dispute.