Some mortuary workers are paid only GH¢300 as a monthly salary – Association

Richard Jordan, General Secretary of the Mortuary Workers Association, asserts that no amount of negotiation will prompt them to cancel their strike.

He noted that members of the Association are subjected to mistreatment and underpayment, notwithstanding the significant risks associated with their duties. The workers have announced their decision to embark on a nationwide strike action.

The nationwide strike action is set to begin Thursday, September 26, 2024, in protest of poor working conditions and unresolved grievances.

The workers accused the government of failing to address their demands and improve their working conditions.

Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Jordan shockingly revealed that some mortuary workers are paid GH¢300 to GH¢400, especially in the private sector.

He noted that there are some allowances paid to them, which are the committed overtime allowance, which is 20% of the basic salary, and the chemical inhalation allowance, which is also 20% of their basic salary.

“But the truth is that the basic salary is very small and will amount to nothing even if you add the percentages.

"The worst situation is that after the taxes are deducted, you are left with nothing. That is the main concern we have raised. If we were working in other jurisdictions, we would have become wealthy people.”

The maintenance of mortuaries, he lamented, was also a problem, saying, “Our mortuaries are not in good condition at all. We are embarking on an indefinite strike and will remain on strike if our concerns are not addressed by Wednesday evening. We will no longer accept any dialogue; our demand is for all the issues we have raised to be addressed.

"The challenges we are confronted with are more, and we don’t want to stress Ghanaians, but at this point, we have exhausted every avenue, and the only option is to embark on a strike action.

"Our strike action is justified by law. We can no longer entertain such stupidity and senselessness.

"Why should you employ someone and pay the person GH¢300 or GH¢400? We work 24 hours a day, and so if this is not stupidity, how else should I describe it? The reality is that the conditions in our facilities are deplorable.”