The National Labour Commission (NLC) has directed the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to resume and conclude Conditions of Service negotiations with the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU).

The directive by the Labour Commission is to avert a nationwide strike action by the medical laboratory professionals, starting on May 20th, 2024, over the stalled negotiations for their Conditions of Service.

The Labour Commission gave the directive at a meeting at the Commission on Thursday with the executives of MELPWU on one side, and a team of directors from the Ministry of Health and FWSC on the other side.

A communique, signed by Dr. Cephas Kofi Akortor, General Secretary of MELPWU to update the members of the union on the outcome of their second meeting at the NLC, explained that the adjudicating panel asked the representatives of the FWSC to provide updates on the status of negotiations with MELPWU and any challenges thereof.

“The house was detailed with the progress, outstanding items to be negotiated and efforts to get mandate from the Ministry of Finance towards finalization of the Agreement.

“After a short hearing and caucuses, the NLC has directed the FWSC to confirm a date with the Union for the continuation of negotiations within the coming week and report back to the NLC on 30th May, 2024 with the outcome.

“The commission further pleaded with the Union not to embark on strike,” the communique said.

The communique described “the feedback and developments” at the NLC as a “positive step” towards addressing the grievances of the union.

It expressed appreciation for the intervention of the NLC in facilitating the dialogue and ensuring that the concerns of medical laboratory science professionals are being heard and addressed.

“We will continue to hold ourselves in readiness whilst we collaborate with relevant authorities to resolve all outstanding issues concerning our conditions of service,” it said, and assured members of the commitment of the leadership of the union in ensuring the protection and promoting of their rights as workers.

“Members are urged to continue keeping the faith in Leadership as we cooperate with the relevant authorities to do what is expected of them,” it stressed.

On May Day, the leadership of MELPWU gave the FWSC and the government a 20th May ultimatum to address outstanding issues, including the provision of financial clearance, and resume the stalled Conditions of Service negotiations with union, for a conclusion.

According to the union, the absence of a Condition of Service was adversely affecting the welfare of thousands of medical science laboratory professionals across the country, which jeopardizes the quality of healthcare services provided to the public.