Strikes to hamper health care delivery - Health Services Workers

Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) of the Trade Union Congress has expressed concern over the spate of labour unrest in the health sector and its effects for health care delivery across the country.

A statement signed by Abu D. Kuntulo, General Secretary of HSWU, urged government to address issues that affect health sector workers and ensure that all efforts must be made to comply with the relevant provisions in the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

It said the Act states that industrial disputes affecting essential service workers including health sector workers, shall be addressed or settled within three days and thus did not understand why it was taking so long for Government and its agencies to address the grievances of health sector workers.

The union also sought to draw the attention of government to a communiqué that was jointly signed by the leadership of HSWU, the Ghana Registered Nurses Association and the Ghana Medical Association dated February 9, 2012 concerning government’s decision to stop the payment of conversion difference to some health sector workers in the public service.

“It is regrettable to note that attempts to dialogue on the restoration of conversion difference for our members have failed. We believe that we can find solutions to all the grievances through effective dialogue based on mutual trust” it added.

It said the HSWU has also observed that the basic salaries of its members have reduced as a result of the migration from the Health Sector Salary Structure (HSSS) to the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).

“This means that their social security contributions towards their pension have also reduced” it added.

It urged government and all agencies involved in public sector salary administration to avoid delays in addressing workers’ grievances and respect agreements and avoid piece-meal settlement of workers’ grievances and disputes.

The statement appealed to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the National Labour Commission (NLC) to be circumspect in handling labour issues especially issues concerning emoluments and other terms and conditions of employment.

The union appealed to government and its agencies on one hand and workers and their unions on the other, to act with professionalism and be mindful of the principles underpinning collective bargaining agreements and dispute settlement.

It appealed to all its members to remain calm while the leadership endeavours to resolve all outstanding issues affecting them and wished them a happy workers day celebration.

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