The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana has declared an indefinite nationwide strike, set to begin on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in protest of poor working conditions and unresolved grievances.

Mr Richard Jordan, General Secretary of the Association, emphasized that no amount of negotiation would deter their members from the planned strike, stating that the workers have endured mistreatment, underpayment, and dangerous working conditions for far too long.

He accused the government of failing to address their long-standing demands, which include improved salaries and better working environments.

Speaking to the Association's statement, Mr. Jordan revealed that some mortuary workers, particularly in the private sector, are paid as little as GH¢300 to GH¢400 per month.

He described the salaries as woefully inadequate, especially given the health risks and demanding nature of their work.

“There are some allowances, like the committed overtime allowance and the chemical inhalation allowance, both of which are 20% of the basic salary,” Mr Jordan explained.

“But the truth is, the basic salary is so small that even with these percentages added, it amounts to almost nothing.

After taxes are deducted, the situation becomes even worse.”

Mr Jordan also expressed concerns over the poor state of mortuary facilities across the country.

“Our mortuaries are in terrible condition, and nothing has been done to maintain them,” he lamented.

“We have exhausted every avenue, and now, the only option left is to embark on strike until our issues are fully addressed.”

The Association’s General Secretary made it clear that the workers will not return to work unless all their demands are met by Wednesday evening.

“We are justified by law to take this action. We cannot continue to tolerate the poor treatment.

It’s unacceptable to employ someone and pay them GH¢300 or GH¢400 when they are working 24 hours a day in hazardous conditions,” Jordan said.

He concluded by stating, "The challenges we face are overwhelming, and while we don't want to disrupt services, the government has left us with no other choice.

This strike is necessary to ensure we are treated with the respect and dignity we deserve."