Mortuary workers to turn backs on corpses Tuesday to push for pay rise

Mortuary workers across the country have threatened to go on indefinite strike beginning Tuesday due to government’s failure to address their concerns almost five months after the government prevailed on them to put on hold their initial action.

In their view, they are “legally and morally justified” to begin a nationwide strike from March 5 to generally push for increment in salaries and better conditions of service.

The strike is likely to cripple mortuary services in various public health facilities across the country, which are patronised by many. Without any contingency plan by these institutions, some say, people cannot deposit or take out corpses of their relatives.

The workers who form the Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG), had in October last year threatened to lay down their tools, but the National Labour Commission (NLC) intervened for them to go into negotiations with the Ministry of Health.

Though they have since held series of meetings with their employer, the mortuary workers say the meetings have failed to produce concrete results on their demands.

What are their issues?

1. Many of the Mortuary Workers are denied perpetual their annual leave in violation of section 20 of Act 651.

2. Most Mortuary Workers work more than the required 8 hours including Saturdays and Sundays in violation of section 33 of Act 651.

3. Most have been employed as casual and temporary workers in violation of section 74 and 75 of Act 651, which does not guarantee job security especially in the environment in which they work.

4. In terms of remuneration, it is unfortunate to state that Mortuary workers are treated as most unrecognized in the sector and for that matter, least paid on the salary structure of Ministry of Health with no single allowance.

5. Many of the Mortuary facilities are understaffed, no maintenance which compromises on health and safety rules of the sector making the workers unnecessary to suffer in silence.

6. In terms of their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), some have to struggle to get them to use making the working conditions at some facilities undesirable.

7. There is no provision for universal medical checkups plan in violation of sections 118 of Act 651.

8. No overtime is paid which is in violation of section 35.

9. They are not paid for public holidays in violation of section 72 of Act 651.

10. They work on weekends on which are resting days by law which will amount to overtime but are not paid.

According to them, the NLC on December 19, 2018 directed the MoH to reopen and finalise negotiations on their issues and submit a report to the labour arbitrator by February 12 this year.

“As we speak, it is now crystal clear that the Ministry of Health has adopted foot-dragging antics which can no more be stomached,” the mortuary workers said, noting that directive given by the NLC was yet to be met by the MoH.

The workers say they wrote to the MoH on the matter following the expiration of the deadline and gave the Ministry “enough time” to act on the matter by February 21 this year but claimed that was not heeded to.

“We are at a stage where we can confidently conclude unequivocally that our employer, the ministry of health, does not intend to respect the directive from the NLC hence undermining the rule of law and the mortuary workers fraternity,” they said in a letter to the NLC and MoH.

The letter signed by the General Secretary of MOWAG, Richard Kofi Jordan, which announced the latest intention to strike this week, has since February 22 been received by the Ministry of Health.

MOWAG contended that the only language the Ministry understands is strike, and once they have given “enough notice” they will effective March 5 begin a nationwide strike.

“…we are left with no other option than to exercise our rights to embarking on the strike” which they said was put on hold in November last year “hopeful that things will work out for the good of the parties”, the mortuary workers said in the letter.