Ministry of Health’s meeting with striking Health Service Workers ends inconclusively
Following their strike action in the northern parts of Ghana, the Health Service Workers Union meeting with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations ended without making any headway.
This meeting was to afford members of the union, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Health Ministry and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department the opportunity to resolve concerns raised by the workers.
The aggrieved workers, on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, commenced an industrial action across the country in protest of unfavourable working conditions leaving many patients stranded at public health facilities
Bright Wireku-Brobby, Deputy Labour Relations Minister, however, revealed that though the meeting was inconclusive, most of the concerns members of the union raised were addressed.
He added that he was hopeful that members of the union will soon go back to work.
“Something triggered something and that is why they embarked on this action. So we met them and deliberated, and I think each side is happy and by the rules of engagement, the need to go back to their National Executive Council (NEC). Once everything is settled, they will resume work in the next couple of days and call off this strike.”
Meanwhile, leaders of the Health Services Workers’ Union said they will engage their members before a decision is made.
General Secretary of the Health Services Workers’ Union, Franklin Owusu Ansah thus insisted that their strike is still in force until negotiations are finalised.
“It is not conclusive, and we want finality on our concerns, but nonetheless, we are going back to our constituents to tell them what has transpired, but all that I can say is we have not concluded yet.”
The reason behind their strike is the fact, the government has failed to review the conditions of service of its members as agreed upon in 2016, but rather, that of their sister unions has been reviewed on two occasions.
HSWU’s leadership says this blatant disregard for the plight of its over 40,000 members across the country has compelled them to take the decision to lay down their tools.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
