Mad rush for dead bodies …as mortuary workers begin strike

Some bereaved families preserving their dead relatives in some government mortuaries are falling over each other to withdraw their corpses ahead of the nationwide strike by mortuary workers.

Sources say there has been an increase withdrawal of dead bodies from government mortuaries ahead of the much anticipated strike set to begin October 1, 2020.

In Kumasi, families thronged the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital on Monday to withdraw their dead ones.

According to sources the families fear the impact the impending strike of the mortuary workers could have on funeral plans and in the worst case, the shape of the remains.

The family members, most of whom were clad in red and black funeral clothes said they were transporting the corpse to private facilities with others intending to bury their dead before tomorrow.

“COVID-19 prevented us from taking and burring our corpses so if the mortuary workers decide to go on strike it will affect many of us,” a worried member of a bereaved family lamented.

Another person pointed out, “My uncle died yesterday and I am here to remove the corpse to a different facility. We will plead with government to hear the workers out because this will affect a lot of people.”

“It’s the body of my father in law that we are preparing to take to Emina Hospital Morgue. If we delay a bit, it will affect us and taking the body out will be a problem,” another bemoaned.

The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) had served notice to embark on an indefinite strike from Thursday, October 1, over what they describe as unresolved grievances.

The Association’s General Secretary, Richard Kofi Jordan in a signed statement said members of MOWAG have had to work in intolerable conditions including constantly inhaling dangerous and cancer-causing chemical, formaldehyde.

This, he said, MOWAG has engaged the Health Ministry but little has been done to resolve the ‘long-standing’ issue.

He revealed that, in previous engagements with the MoH, pledges were made to implement certain simple changes in the working conditions of the members of MOWAG, but they have not seen anything to date.

This, he said “points to the great possibility that the government does not intend to meet and resolve the MOWAG’s crying and life-threatening problems and grievances.”

“Having become tired of its inactions and being aware that the government appears to be nowhere near taking a serious look at the grievances of the MOWAG, pursuant to resolving same problems, the MOWAG, under article 159 of the Labour Law (Act 651) has now initiated this industrial strike action till its demands are met.”

Members of MOWAG also highlighted some six issues they want addressed before, the industrial action is called off including; Unresolved issues of salaries, allowances, job placements and promotions (Conditions of Service); 50% bonus promised by the President to motivate front-line health workers but denied Mortuary Workers without explanation even after petitioning the President and Mechanisation and Employment of mortuary workers as long ago agreed by the MOH and the MOWAG.

On May 2, 2019, MOWAG again threatened to embark on a nationwide strike  following unsuccessful resolution of their grievances.

The association argued then that the strike is to register their displeasure over government’s reluctance to meet their demands.

Earlier that same year, the workers embarked on another similar strike to protest poor working conditions and salaries.

No Way

Meanwhile, in the instant case, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Mortuary Workers, Ebenezer Asirifi has said that they will only halt the strike action if the government meets their demands immediately.

The chairman accused government of reneging on its promise of improving their working conditions, which include poor salaries, lack of personal protective equipment and poor working environment.

“When you go to some of the morgues you will find out that they don’t even have equipment and gloves. We have met with the government several times and nothing has been done. That’s why we have planned to go on strike,” he explained.

However, the National Labour Commission is urging the Mortuary Workers to halt its plans to embark on a strike.

Speaking to Citi News, the Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission, Ofosu Asamoah, said the Commission will on Friday, October 2 meet the Mortuary Workers Association to resolve outstanding matters.

“We have asked them to hold onto the strike whilst the commission hears this matter… You cannot be on strike and still be appearing before the Commission so the only way they can have the matter heard is to suspend the strike,” he explained.

He further noted that “there was an ongoing process to pay them, and I am sure it terminated at a point, and we did not receive notice of it.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Employment, Bright Wireko-Brobby, says his outfit has scheduled a meeting with the Association later on Tuesday, September 29.

“Earlier on they had tabled a few things and I know they were working on it until COVID-19 started so as a Ministry, we are yet to know where Fair Wages and the Ministry of Health have gotten to regarding their request,” the Deputy Minister said in an interview with Citi News.