Regional News of Sunday, 14 November 2004

Source: GNA

Medical Laboratory Professionals threaten strike

Koforidua, Nov 14, GNA - Medical Laboratory Professionals (MLP) in the Eastern Region have threatened to go on a sit-down strike by November 26 if the Ministry of Health should go ahead to reduce their Additional Duty Hour Allowance (ADHA) from 192 to 100 hours per month. The decision was taken at a meeting of representatives of the group from hospitals and health institutions in the region at Koforidua on Friday.

The group stated that even though they were expected to be paid 192 hours ADHA as agreed upon at the national negotiations, they in the Eastern Region were receiving an average of 75 hours. The group said most laboratory staff makes 19 hours a day and work for seven days in a week in most cases.

The group said it regarded the new allocated hours as "a disincentive to work and a breach of mutual understanding."