The Ministry of Health has appealed to the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers' Union (MELPWU) to call off its strike and return to the negotiation table.

The Ministry said it acknowledges all the union's demands for improved working conditions and is currently ready to address them at the negotiating table.

In a press release signed by the Public Relations department, the Ministry stated government's negotiation team had reached an agreements on most of the items proposed by MELPWU.

As such, the statement read “The Ministry can confirm that negotiations are ongoing and therefore appeal to MELPWU leadership to reconsider its decision to strike and return to the negotiation table with the Government Negotiation Teams, which include the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.”

The release also urged the union's patience with the government's negotiation team as they work to expedite the process. This will allow MELPWU to call off the strike sooner.

Meanwhile, the ministry assured the union government’s  “utmost cooperation and respect for your dedication to your members' welfare.”

• Read also: Medical laboratory scientists declare nationwide strike

On June 3, the MELPWU announced the commencement of a nationwide strike on Monday, June 17, 2024.

According to the union, the strike will affect services provided by their members in medical laboratories, blood banks, pathology laboratories, and selected mortuary facilities across the country.

This decision comes as a response to prolonged delays by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ministry of Finance in concluding negotiations with the union.

Read full release:

The Ministry of Health acknowledges the strike notice issued by the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers' Union (MELPWU), indicating that the strike will commence on Monday, 17th June 2024, to urge the Government to approve and implement their proposed Conditions of Service.

MELPWU has requested continued negotiations to finalise their proposed Conditions of Service with the Government.

The Goverment Negotiations Team led by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission
(FWSC) has had extensive engagements with MELPWU since 2023 and is guided by both internal and external relativities.
Majority of the items proposed by MELPWU have been agreed upon by the Goverment Negotiations Team. However, Uniform, Special Project, Unsociable, and Communication allowances proposed by the Union are still under various stages of negotiation.

The Ministry can confirm that negotiations are ongoing and therefore appeal to MELPWU leadership to reconsider its decision to strike and return to the negotiation table with the Government Negotiation Teams, which include the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

We appeal to the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers to exercise patience as the Goverment Negotiation Team, supported by the Ministry, expedites the negotiations to enable MELPWU to call off its strike.

To the Union (MELPWU), please be assured of our utmost cooperation and respect for your dedication to your members' welfare.
We hope that, in the spirit of cooperation, this strike will be called off as soon as possible.
Thank you.


ISSUED BY THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH.