Mortuary workers in Ghana are set to embark on a nationwide strike starting Thursday, September 26, 2024, in protest of poor working conditions and unresolved grievances.
The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) has served notice to the government, citing deliberate neglect of their demands. The workers across Ghana have threatened to embark on a nationwide strike due to what they describe as the government’s deliberate negligence of their grievances.
In a statement dated for today, Tuesday, September 17, MOWAG General Secretary Richard Kofi Jordan emphasized that the strike is a last resort after repeated attempts to resolve the issues.
According to workers, their concerns include inadequate provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), leaving workers exposed to diseases and hazards.
Additionally, salary arrears dating back to 2020 remain unpaid, and the request for financial clearance to employ 500 additional mortuary workers has been ignored.
MOWAG is also demanding payment of the COVID-19 bonus announced by the President, which mortuary workers have yet to receive.
The statement noted the alarming rate of mortuary worker deaths, with 16 reported in one year, highlighting the urgency of addressing these concerns.
Until their demands are met, members are expected to stay home as all mortuaries will be closed.
The workers have outlined three primary demands: the provision of adequate protective equipment, the payment of salary arrears dating back to 2020, and financial clearance for the recruitment of 500 additional staff members to ease the strain on the current workforce.
According to MOWAG, these concerns have been ignored for far too long, leaving mortuary workers in unsafe and stressful conditions as they struggle to manage the increased workload.
In a statement issued by the association, MOWAG expressed disappointment over the lack of response from the relevant authorities, despite numerous attempts to raise these issues. The workers assert that their roles are essential to public health and dignity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet their pleas for better working conditions have fallen on deaf ears.
“If our demands are not met soon, we have no option but to go on strike,” a spokesperson for MOWAG said.
The strike is expected to lead to the closure of mortuaries across the country, which could have severe repercussions for funeral services and the handling of bodies.
The association has given a deadline for the government to respond to their concerns, warning that they are prepared to halt operations if no immediate action is taken to address their grievances.
