The Ministry of Health has appealed to the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) to call off their industrial strike, which commenced on Monday, June 17, 2024.
The ongoing strike by the laboratory staff follows unsuccessful negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Ministry of Finance on May 31, 2024, despite the National Labour Commission’s intervention.
The Ministry of Health, in a statement, acknowledged the notice issued by MELPWU earlier to embark on a strike action, effective June 17, to urge the government to approve and implement their proposed conditions of service.
The Health Ministry disclosed that the government 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.
The statement added that most of the requests made by MELPWU have been approved, with a few currently being negotiated.
It has, therefore, appealed to the professional workers to call off their strike action as the negotiations continue.
“Majority of the items proposed by MELPWU have been agreed upon by the Government 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,” the statement added.
Find the full statement below;
