The Medical Laboratory Professionals Workers’ Union (MELPWU) is calling on the government to improve the members’ working conditions to ensure effective output.
The medical laboratory professionals gave a strong wording to their employer, and for that matter, the government, that even though members will continue to offer their service to the country, they will not allow their condition of service and other legitimate benefits that are due them to be sacrificed for anything anymore.
The Medical Laboratory Professionals Workers’ Union held a press conference in Bolgatanga immediately after the May Day celebration.
“We urge the employer and its representatives, i.e., the Ministry of Health, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and other relevant stakeholders to also deliver on their responsibilities by providing us with the necessary working tools and conditions of work to support the economic growth of our dear country.”
Cephas Kofi Akortor, General Secretary of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union, addressing the press in Bolgatanga, said members of the union are not enthused about “the half-hearted approach to our request and the silence of the Commission on the proposals we have submitted for negotiation on our Conditions of Service”.
“We wish to state emphatically that we are ready to cross any bridges and mountains to secure our rights. We shall continue to use the laid down channels, but as a union that bears the concerns and increasing frustrations of medical laboratory professionals in the country, we wish to serve this notice to the employer and make it clear that we appear to be running out of patience. Our members are becoming desperate and troubled due to the laxity with which our request is being handled.”
The Medical Laboratory Professionals Workers’ Union (MELPWU) is also calling on the government to give financial clearance to unemployed MLS graduates and IGF staff working in the lab, create a proper pay structure for its consultants, specialists, and doctor of medical laboratory science graduates; create a Medical Laboratory Science Council to specifically regulate their practice in Ghana;
Again, they are demanding an implementation of the National Health Laboratory Policy that was developed and signed in 2013 by the Ministry of Health; give appointment letters to Medical Laboratory Managers; create a dedicated account for Medical Laboratory Services; include Medical Laboratory Professionals in the GHS Governing Boards; not to try PPP with Medical Laboratory Services in Ghana without engaging the Union; pay Frontline Workers their COVID-19 Insurance Benefits; and not to touch their Pension Funds.
Source:A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Bolgatanga|Ghana
