Mortuary workers across Ghana have announced a nationwide strike set to begin on Thursday, September 26, 2024, to protest against poor working conditions and unresolved grievances. The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) has officially informed the government of its intention to halt services, accusing authorities of neglecting their long-standing demands for better working conditions.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 17, MOWAG’s General Secretary, Richard Kofi Jordan, emphasized that the decision to strike was not taken lightly. He described it as a last resort after several failed attempts to resolve the issues through dialogue and negotiation with the relevant government agencies. The workers are frustrated by the lack of response to their concerns, some of which have been ongoing for years.
One of the primary issues driving the strike is the inadequate provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Mortuary workers are required to handle deceased bodies under hazardous conditions, often without sufficient protective gear. According to the workers, this situation exposes them to serious health risks, including the possibility of contracting infectious diseases. The absence of adequate PPE has been a persistent issue, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic brought greater attention to the importance of protective measures for frontline workers.
In addition to the PPE shortage, the workers are also demanding payment of salary arrears, some of which date back to 2020. Despite repeated promises, the government has failed to settle these outstanding payments. The workers, many of whom earn modest wages, are struggling to make ends meet due to these unpaid salaries. This financial strain has only heightened their frustrations, and they see the strike as a necessary step to press the government into action.
Another significant grievance is the government’s failure to grant financial clearance for the recruitment of 500 additional mortuary workers. The workers have long been calling for reinforcements, as the current workforce is overstretched and unable to meet the demands of the job. Mortuaries across the country are often understaffed, leading to long hours and exhausting working conditions for the few workers available. The association has stressed that employing additional workers is essential not only to improve working conditions but also to enhance the quality of services provided by mortuaries nationwide.
Furthermore, MOWAG is demanding the payment of the COVID-19 bonus, which was announced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a reward for frontline workers during the height of the pandemic. While other sectors have reportedly received their bonuses, mortuary workers claim they have yet to benefit from the promised payments. This has only added to their growing sense of injustice, as they were exposed to significant risks during the pandemic and played a crucial role in managing the deceased amid a health crisis.
The statement from MOWAG also pointed to the alarming number of deaths among mortuary workers in recent years, with 16 reported fatalities within the past year alone. These deaths underscore the hazardous nature of the job, and the workers are calling on the government to take immediate action to address their concerns and prevent further loss of life. The association has expressed deep concern about the physical and emotional toll the job takes on its members, especially in the absence of adequate protective measures and fair compensation.
As the strike approaches, MOWAG has made it clear that unless their demands are met, all mortuaries across the country will be closed, and members will stay home. This nationwide action is expected to cause significant disruption to services, as mortuary workers play a critical role in the healthcare system, handling deceased bodies with care and ensuring proper procedures are followed. The closure of mortuaries could result in delays in burials and create challenges for families who have lost loved ones, adding urgency to the workers’ demands.
The government has yet to respond to the strike notice, but with the deadline fast approaching, pressure is mounting for a resolution. The workers are hopeful that their action will finally prompt the government to address their grievances, which they believe have been ignored for far too long.
This strike represents a pivotal moment for mortuary workers in Ghana, who have consistently raised concerns about their working conditions without seeing meaningful change. As they prepare to walk off the job, they are standing firm in their demand for respect, safety, and fair compensation for the difficult and often dangerous work they perform.
It remains to be seen how the government will respond in the coming days, but the decision to strike highlights the deep frustrations felt by mortuary workers across the country. They are determined to fight for their rights, and their message to the government is clear: until their demands are met, the strike will continue, and mortuaries will remain closed.
