Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS), Dr. Dennis Adu Gyasi, has made a shocking revelation over the salary of members.
Dr. Adu Gyasi, who disclosed this, said the salaries of the majority of members are below GHc2,000 after all the required deductions are made.
He stated that the strike is therefore justified because their conditions of service are terrible.
MELPWU announced a nationwide strike, effective June 17, 2024, over the lack of conditions of service for its members.
The strike follows unsuccessful negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on May 31, 2024, which the union deemed “disappointing.”
The situation has affected the provision of holistic healthcare in several of our health facilities, with the public appealing to them to rescind their actions.
But Dr. Gyasi lamented that the government has failed to address their concerns.
He said they have been negotiating for nearly two years, but the delayed negotiations have prompted the strike to pressure the government to conclude negotiations on conditions of service.
“We have been negotiating for better conditions of service for two years, but the government has failed to reach an agreement with us. We have patiently waited for all these years, and yet the government has refused to reach an agreement with us, so that is why we are currently on strike,” he told host Kwabena Agyapong.
When asked the basic salary of a technician, he answered that the starting salary of a lab professional is below GHc2,000 after deductions are made.
Using himself as an example, he disclosed that after rising through all the ranks and positions he wields currently, his take-home pay is below Ghc7,000 after all functions are completed.
He added that it will be better for some of them to stop working and pursue other alternatives, especially abroad.
“We have over 5,000 members or medical laboratory professionals nationwide. The starting salary for our members is below GHc2,000 after all deductions have been made. As a Deputy Chief with the last ranking for me to go on pension, my salary is below GHc 7,000 after all the deductions have been made. This is a serious issue. It is an unfortunate matter, and if you decide to talk about it, it will generate painful memories,” he said.
Membership in the union includes Medical Laboratory Scientists, Medical Laboratory Technicians, and Medical Laboratory Assistants who provide laboratory diagnostic services in all clinical laboratories and blood banks under the Ministry of Health and allied agencies, including the Ghana Health Service and the National Blood Service.
The others are the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), teaching hospitals, health training institutions, Ahmadiyya Health Services Ghana, and the University of Ghana Medical Centre, among others.
It also includes laboratory professionals who provide technical services in pathology laboratories and selected mortuary facilities in the country.
By: Rainbowradioonline com/Ghana
