The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) has announced their decision to withdraw services nationwide, beginning Thursday, September 26, 2024, if their demands are not addressed.
This decision was detailed in an official letter addressed to the Minister of Health, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Minister of National Security, the CEO of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and other relevant authorities on September 17, 2024. According to MOWAG, their intended action is in line with the 1992 Constitution, Section 159 of Act 651-2003 (Labour Law).
The workers have cited several grievances, including the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), salary arrears dating back to 2020, a request for financial clearance for the employment of 500 new mortuary workers, and the disbursement of a COVID-19 bonus as announced by the President of the Republic.
“This action is necessitated by some pressing demands which the Employer has, in our opinion, deliberately ignored. We shall exercise our rights as guaranteed in the 1992 Constitution by withdrawing all services,” the statement read.
MOWAG has warned that if their demands are not met by the stipulated date, all mortuaries across the country will be closed, and members will remain at home until their grievances are addressed.
They have also stated unequivocally that they do not expect any further meetings or hearings on the matter, as the time for dialogue has passed. “It is simply about implementation,” they stressed, noting the alarming number of deaths among mortuary workers in recent times and their determination not to relent in their demands.
The association has been embroiled in a long-standing dispute with the government over their working conditions.
In October 2023, MOWAG threatened to strike if their concerns were not addressed, leading to a brief service withdrawal in November 2023 that left many families distressed over the status of their deceased loved ones.
Despite a subsequent meeting with the government, their issues remain unresolved, prompting this latest action.
