Nurses and Midwives Begin Strike Action Following SSNIT ‘s Move to Sell 60% of Its Hotel Shares

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has announced a significant strike action in response to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust’s (SSNIT) recent decision to sell 60% of its shares in four hotels across Ghana.

This decision of SSNIT has been met with strong opposition from various labor groups, including the GRNMA, who argue that the sale does not consider the broader interests of Ghanaian workers, including nurses and midwives.

The industrial action is scheduled to commence on Monday, July 15, 2024, and will proceed in stages. According to the official notice from GRNMA dated July 12, 2024, the strike will unfold as follows:

1. 15th – 17th July, 2024: Withdrawal of Out Patient Department (OPD) services.

2. 18th – 21st July, 2024: Withdrawal of emergency services.

3. From 22nd July, 2024: Total withdrawal of all services.

The GRNMA, along with other nursing and midwifery associations under its Collective Bargaining Certificate, has expressed that this action is necessary due to recent developments regarding the SSNIT hotels.

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The GRNMA contends that despite continuous engagement and opposition from organized labor, SSNIT has proceeded with the sale without adequately addressing the concerns of its stakeholders.

The Honorable Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, who also oversees pensions, addressed Parliament on July 11, 2024, confirming that the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) had approved the sale.

However, this approval was granted without consulting the relevant labor unions, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among workers.

The GRNMA has demanded an immediate halt to the sale process, emphasizing that the industrial action will persist until SSNIT publicly announces the termination of the sale.

The association argues that the sale of these shares without proper consultation undermines the rights and interests of Ghanaian workers, particularly those in the healthcare sector who are already facing numerous challenges.

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The strike is poised to have a significant impact on healthcare delivery across the country, especially given the phased withdrawal of services culminating in a total shutdown.

The initial withdrawal of OPD services will disrupt routine medical consultations, while the subsequent withdrawal of emergency services poses a severe risk to patients requiring urgent care.

The total withdrawal of services from July 22, 2024, will exacerbate these issues, potentially leading to a healthcare crisis if a resolution is not reached promptly.

In light of these developments, the GRNMA has called for solidarity among all healthcare workers and the broader public.

They urge SSNIT to reconsider its decision and engage in meaningful dialogue with the relevant stakeholders to find a resolution that prioritizes the welfare of Ghanaian workers and the public at large.

As the strike action begins, the focus will be on the government’s response and whether SSNIT will heed the calls for a reassessment of the sale. The coming days will be crucial in determining the outcome of this standoff and the future of healthcare services in Ghana.

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