The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) has called off its nationwide strike which was scheduled for October 1.

This follows successful negotiations between the workers and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.

In a statement issued after the meeting which took place on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, the Ministry of Health and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) are said to have agreed to the Association's demand for improved condition of service.

But speaking to JoyNews, the National Chairman for the Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana, Edward Mensah said, although the scheduled strike has been called off, the Association will not hesitate to go through with its threat should government fail to deliver on its promise.

"We are holding on with the strike because government has promised to meet all our demands by 28th of this month.

"If by then our issues have not been resolved then it is government giving us permission to go on strike and this time we will not listen to them because a promise is a promise and people must learn to keep the promises they make to others," he said.

Below are the terms as spelt out in the statement;

• Fair Wages and Salaries Commission should collaborate with MOWAG to resolve the issue of salaries and allowances taking into consideration the risks and uniqueness of their job.
• That Mortuary attendant in health facilities with recorded cases of Covid-19 deaths should be considered as part of the front-line staff and hence benefits from any benefit that it goes with.
• That the Ministry of Health should expedite action on and complete the issuance of appointment letters to eligible mortuary workers.
• That the Ministry of Health should ensure the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Mortuary workers in all health facilities at all times. Those PPEs should not only be limited to those of Covid-19 pandemic but also their routine job assignments.
• That MOWAG should liaise with the Labor Department to resolve matters relating to the issuance of a Collective Bargaining Certificate to MOWAG.
• That all the decisions reached should be implemented within a month.
• That a meeting would be convened among the stakeholders including MOWAG on or before October 27, 2020, to bring finality to the discussions.
• That, MOWAG has agreed to call off their intended strike.