After months of protracted negotiations marked by delays and industrial actions, the Medical Laboratory Professionals Workers Union (MELPWU) has successfully signed its first-ever Collective Agreement with the government.
The signing, which took place on November 20 at the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), promises to significantly improve the work conditions for medical laboratory professionals working under the Ministry of Health and its agencies across the country.
The agreement, set to take effect from August 2024, includes both financial and non-financial benefits aimed at enhancing the welfare of laboratory professionals.
Key provisions include workman’s compensation, rural incentive packages, professional development support, market premiums, and medical subsidies. It also outlines tools allowances and other benefits designed to promote better laboratory service delivery and improved working conditions.
General Secretary of MELPWU, Dr. Cephas Kofi Akortor signed the agreement on behalf of the union, while Ing. Benjamin Arthur, Chief Executive of the FWSC, represented the government alongside officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and the Ministry of Health (MoH).
The signing marks a significant achievement for MELPWU, which was granted its collective bargaining certificate in July 2022. Despite the positive outcome, Dr. Akortor expressed some disappointment, noting that not all of the union’s demands were met.
He mentioned that special requests, including insurance and transportation allowances for junior workers, were not approved due to financial constraints linked to IMF conditionalities.
“We made some compromises in the interest of the nation,” Dr. Akortor remarked, but emphasized that the new agreement ensures that members will no longer be treated with discretion.
Deputy Director at the Ministry of Health, Lawrence Odartey Lawson, expressed optimism that the agreement would help foster a more harmonious industrial relationship and contribute to improved healthcare delivery across the country.
The signing of this agreement represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance the working conditions and welfare of medical laboratory professionals in Ghana. While it marks progress, the Union’s continued advocacy for the posting of unemployed graduates remains a key issue for the future.
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