Over 40,000 health workers across Ghana have declared a nationwide strike beginning Tuesday, October 26, Union leaders have announced.
The staff are protesting about the government’s failure to review their conditions of service agreed upon in 2016.
Leadership of the Health Service Workers’ Union (HSWU), the mother body which is leading the charge is unhappy about the government’s posture after it emerged that other sister unions have had their conditions reviewed on two occasions.
A General Secretary of the HSWU, Franklin Owusu Ansah sai at a news conference that: “It is not the wish of the union to cause industrial disharmony and disrupt the smooth delivery of health services, but the continuous disregard by the government to respond to our simple request has pushed us to the wall this far”.
He entreated all members of the Union to comply with the directive.
“From tomorrow [Tuesday], October 26, 2021, we ask you to please stay at home until you hear from your leaders. Your resumption of duty will depend on the government and its negotiations to act in good faith.”
The development means state-run health facilities risk being closed down as the country battles COVID-19 which has exposed the country’s fragile health system. Over 1,000 people have died from the virus.
Members of the general public would have no option than to resort to private facilities for medical care and other services.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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