Ministry of Health’s statement was in bad taste – MELPWU First Vice Chairman

First Vice Chairman of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU), Dr. Franklin Amarh has accused the Ministry of Health of acting in bad faith towards their demand for better conditions of service.

This accusation follows an appeal by the Ministry of Health for MELPWU to call off its strike and return to the negotiation table.

The Ministry acknowledged the union’s demands for improved working conditions and expressed readiness to address them through negotiations.

In a press release signed by the Public Relations department, the Ministry stated that the government’s negotiation team had reached agreements on most of the items proposed by MELPWU.

Ministry of Health appeals to laboratory workers to call off strike

However, Dr. Franklin Amarh argued that government did not show good faith prior to their strike.

“We officially wrote to the minister that our members are frustrated and desperate and to that extent, if something is not done as quickly as possible by 17 of June, our members will lay down their tools. Well, the ministry acknowledged receipt of this letter on the 4th of June but sat aloof, and treated us with contempt and disrespect without any form of invitation to even lead us to dialogue over the issues,” he said on the Sunrise show with Johnnie Hughes on 3FM Wednesday, June 19.

Dr. Amarh further stated that the Ministry’s delay in responding to their letter was disrespectful.

“The ministry found their keys on the holiday to go into office and to submit into the public space that we should rescind our decision and come back to table. We think that is the most disrespectful act because between the 4th [June], when they acknowledge received of our letter, they should have acted fast”, he argued.

Members of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) on June 17, 2024, embarked on a nationwide strike, over the lack of Conditions of Service for its members, despite nearly two years of negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).

By Frederick Kunzoti-Ani