Bolgatanga, Dec. 14, GNA – Members of the Upper East Regional branch of the Health Services Workers Union (HSWU) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Friday joined their national executives to register their displeasure over government’s neglect of their grievances over the years.
The members said in spite of their tireless contributions towards providing quality health care delivery, they could not bear “the act of discrimination” exhibited towards them by government.
“We are all aware that the health sector is faced with numerous challenges in terms of working tools or equipment. Health workers in general are exposed to numerous risks, yet we have been dedicated and committed in the discharge of our duties in a professional manner.”
Madam Benedicta Azigeda, the Principal Industrial Relations Officer (PIRO) of the HSWU, said this in a speech she read on behalf of the Union at a press conference in Bolgatanga.
Members of the Union who attended the event wore red bands and held placards with inscriptions such as “Poor conditions of service, government why?”; “Why is market premium not changing with change in salaries?”; and “National health laboratory policy unimplemented among others.
Madam Azigeda said their employer has ignored them for far too long and said they had several unresolved issues which ranged from poor conditions of service, wrong placement of steps or levels and salaries, including non-promotion arrears.
She expressed worry over salary distortions under the Single Spine Salary structure, non-incremental credits since 2012, unequal market premium with current base pay, and failure to align health professionals with their counterparts after they had gone through re- evaluation exercise.
“We the members of the Upper East Region are saying, no more letters, no more meetings, no more consultations, all is over.”
She called on the Ministries of Health, Finance, Employment and Labour Relations, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to resolve the concerns of the Union.
