After months of negotiations characterized by delays and industrial actions, the Medical Laboratory Professionals Workers Union (MELPWU) has signed its first-ever Collective Agreement with the government, paving the way to enhance the service and welfare conditions of medical laboratory professionals across the country.

Signed at the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) in Accra Wednesday evening by the executives of MELPWU and Directors of the FWSC, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the agreement covers financial and non-financial conditions and benefits that aims at promoting enhanced laboratory service delivery and improved welfare conditions for medical laboratory professionals.

Key provisions in the agreement, which takes effect from August 2024 for a two-year period, include workman’s compensation, rural incentive packages, tools allowance, professional development support, market premium, medical subsidies, and other allowances.

Dr Cephas Kofi Akortor, General Secretary of MELPWU signed for the union, while Ing. Benjamin Arthur, Chief Executive of the FWSC, signed for the Commission which led the government's negotiation team consisting of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The Collective Agreement which is the first to be signed with the government after the union gained its collective bargaining certificate in July 2022, has been one of two key demands of MELPWU over the past two years.

The outstanding demand is for the posting of over 2,000 qualified medical laboratory professionals especially doctor of medical laboratory science graduates who are currently not working due to the lack of financial clearance for their recruitment.

In his remarks after the signing, Dr Akortor expressed delight about the achievement but wished that they had more of their items granted, indicating that “although we didn’t get all we expected, it’s a good beginning.”

He explained that some of their items including special demands for insurance and transportation of junior workers, among others, were not granted by the government with the explanation of its inability to accommodate such costs due to IMF conditionalities.

“We made some compromises in the interest of the nation,” he said, but assured the members that with the collective agreement, “we will no longer be treated with discretion.”

While the signing is a milestone for the union, Dr Akortor reiterated the union’s call for the immediate posting of over 2,000 qualified medical laboratory graduates waiting to contribute to the healthcare system to enhance the staff strength to reduce the workload in the labs.

“We also urge the Ministry of Finance to expedite action on the financial clearance for over 19,000 qualified but unemployed allied health professionals who are currently jobless.

Professor Charles Oppong, Director of Grievances and Negotiations at the FWSC, who presented the signed document to the executives of the union, commended the teams from both sides for the cooperation and sacrifices that resulted in the agreement.

He urged the implementing agencies, particularly the MoH to ensure an effective implementation of the agreement to promote industrial peace.

Lawrence Odartey Lawson, a deputy Director at MoH, who chaired the signing ceremony, also lauded the efforts invested in the negotiations, and expressed optimism that the new agreement would help “to promote harmony and a fruitful industrial front.”

For her part, Mrs Lizzy-Ann Kwagbedzi, deputy CEO of Gamey and Gamey Group, the consultants for MELPWU, also thanked the FWSC team for their cooperation and collaboration that enabled the negotiations to overcome the numerous challenges in the over one-year journey.