Mortuary workers call off intended strike after successful negotiations

Mortuary workers in the country have agreed to call off their intended strike after successful negotiations with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations as well as the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, 30 September 2020.

The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) threatened to strike over poor working conditions a few days ago.

A statement jointly signed by Employment Minister Ignatius Baffour Awuah and Mr Richard Kofi Jordan, General Secretary of MOWAG, said the parties have agreed that “the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission should collaborate with MOWAG to resolve the issues of salaries and allowances taking into consideration the risks and uniqueness of their job”.

It was also agreed that mortuary attendants in health facilities with recorded cases of COVID-19 deaths should be considered as part of the frontline staff and hence enjoy any benefit that goes with it.

They also agreed that Ministry of Health must also ensure the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to mortuary workers in all health facilities at all times.

“These PPE should not only be limited to those of the COVID-19 pandemic but also their routine job assignments,” the statement said.

MOWAG has also agreed to liaise with the Labour Department to resolve matters relating to the issuance of a Collective Bargaining Certificate to MOWAG.

Furthermore, the agreement said all the decisions reached must be implemented within a month.