The Medical Laboratory Professionals Workers Union (MELPWU) has achieved a significant milestone by signing its maiden Collective Agreement with government after months of protracted negotiations marked by delays and industrial actions.

The agreement, signed at the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) in Accra, sets the stage for implementing enhanced financial and non-financial benefits aimed at improving the welfare of medical laboratory professionals under the Ministry of Health and its implementing agencies across Ghana.

Effective from August 1, 2024 for a two-year period, the agreement includes provisions such as workman’s compensation, rural incentive packages, tools allowance, professional development support, market premium, medical subsidies, and other allowances.

Dr. Cephas Kofi Akortor, General Secretary of MELPWU, and Ing. Benjamin Arthur, Chief Executive of FWSC, signed on behalf of their respective parties. The government’s negotiation team also included representatives from the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the Ministry of Health (MoH), and the Ministry of Finance.

This historic agreement marks the first major achievement for MELPWU since acquiring its collective bargaining certificate in July 2022. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Akortor expressed mixed feelings about the agreement, indicating that "although we didn’t get everything we expected, this is a promising beginning. Some of our key demands, like special insurance and transportation benefits for junior workers, were not approved due to IMF conditionalities. Nevertheless, the collective agreement ensures we are no longer treated with discretion,” he said.

Dr. Akortor also reiterated the union's urgent call for the government to prioritize the posting of the unemployed professionals, stating, "This agreement is a win for us, but the healthcare system urgently needs the contributions of these qualified professionals to alleviate the heavy workload in laboratories nationwide."

While the signing is a milestone for the union, Dr Akortor there is a need for the government to priortise the financial clearance and immediate posting of over 2,000 qualified medical laboratory graduates waiting to contribute to the healthcare system to enhance the staff strength to reduce the workload in the labs.

“We also urge the Ministry of Finance to expedite action on the financial clearance for over 19,000 qualified but unemployed allied health professionals who are currently jobless,” he said.

Professor Charles Oppong, Director of Grievances and Negotiations at FWSC, praised the commitment and sacrifices made by both parties during the lengthy negotiations, and urged the Ministry of Health and other implementing agencies to ensure effective implementation of the agreement to foster industrial harmony.

Lawrence Odartey Lawson, a Deputy Director at MoH and chair of the signing session, commended the collaborative efforts that led to the agreement, expressing optimism about its potential to strengthen the industrial relations landscape.

Adding her voice, Mrs. Lizzy-Ann Kwagbedzi, Deputy CEO of Gamey and Gamey Group, consultants for MELPWU, thanked the FWSC team for their cooperation and resilience throughout the negotiation process. She lauded the outcome as a testament to the power of perseverance and dialogue.