Striking health workers in the Greater Accra Region have reportedly called off their strike and resolved to resume work immediately, following the intervention of the leadership of the Health Workers Group (HWG).
After hours of meeting yesterday, the workers decided to allow the Appellate Body of the National Labour Commission (NLC) to resolve the impasse that had arisen as a result of distortions in the salaries of health workers.
Speaking to the Times yesterday, Raymond A. Tetteh, Chairman of the Group, said the action by the health workers was as a result of the improper flow of information. He noted that since negotiations were still going on, it was important for the workers to go back to work while they continued.
"The leadership has made it clear to the workers that if they refuse to go to work, they will be responsible for any individual sanctions taken against them by their respective health facilities," he said.
Asked when the workers will start working, Mr. Tetteh said "In fact, for those who have night shifts they are expected to go to work this (yesterday) evening."
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Lepowura M.N.D. Jawula, for his part, said the health workers will not be dismissed as had been put in the public domain. He described as unfortunate an internal memorandum circulated within the ministry which was being miscontrued as government’s final decision on the matter.
"As we talk, the doors to negotiations are not closed yet and we are handling this matter as humanely as possible. What that letter sought to do was to draw attention to the current situation," he said.
The Chief Director said it was not a simple issue dismissing workers because, "we are not in a hurry to fire workers.What we did was to remind the Director General of the Ghana Health Service and the heads of the teaching hospitals as to what would be required of them in the event that matters got to a head."
He explained that even after submitting such a list, government would have to further investigate and make sure that the names of innocent people are not on such a list.
He described the decision by the workers to go back to work as "a welcome news" and expressed the hope that all parties would work together to ensure an amicable settlement of any issues.
Last week Monday, some health workers served notice of their intention to embark on a strike although the NLC had, in a press statement, advised them to rescind the decision and rather address their concerns within the framework of the existing law.
The Commission noted that the HWG had not exhausted the necessary procedures under the law before announcing its intention to go on strike.
"The NLC made it clear that the HWG had not satisfied the requirements of Section 159 of the Labour Law before serving notice to embark on a strike and so any action taken at this time will be in contravention of the law," the Commission said.
Section 159(b) says that the party intends to go on strike shall serve written notice seven days to the employer and the NLC.
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