The Coalition of Hygiene Students-Ghana has raised concerns over unpaid trainee allowances spanning a period of two years.
The Coalition said that the government has failed to pay the two-year trainee allowance arrears owed us from January 2023 until date, including the full-year arrears owed for the 2021 certificate badge of the Ho School of Hygiene.
Boateng, Public Relations Officer of the Coalition, said the situation was not the best and it was necessary for authorities to release all the unpaid allowances owed them.
He stated that since 2021, graduates from the various institutions have not been employed.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, he said the unemployment situation has created tension among them.
He disclosed that engagements they have had with the unposted Environmental Health Officers and Assistants Association with the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MOSWR) pointed out the delays as caused by no financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance (MOF).
He added that they have also made follow ups as at 3rd June, 2024 and 25h July 2024 however, proved the above information as false as they learnt from the MOF that the MOSWR has not submitted any official request and any list for the payment of trainee allowances for the years on discussion.
He stated that efforts to engage with the ministry for further peaceful engagements was met with neglect as security prevented them from accessing the office of the ministry.
Boateng went on to state that the situation coupled with other hostile conditions they face in school, has compelled them to reach out to the general publie for support.
“The government has refused to pay outstanding debts owed to hygiene students. Since 2021, our different year groups have not been posted. We have expressed our concerns, demonstrated, and called on authorities to solve our difficulties, but they have refused to do so. For two years, we received no allowances. Nurses were paid allowances, but we did not receive any.
The other major concern is unemployment. We are currently unemployed and unhappy at home. He bemoaned, “We have been neglected, despite the fact that we and the nurses are all health trainees.”
He warned they will demonstrate at the Jubilee House if their unpaid allowances were not released or if they were posted for work.
He asserted that because their number is less than 3,500, the government would have no trouble providing them with employment.
“Our number is less than 3,500, which is why the government should have taken an interest in our case. We’ve held countless news conferences and demonstrations, but nothing has changed. We sometimes question if the path we chose was pointless given how they are treating us. We will be forced to demonstrate at the Jubilee House if the issues we have raised are not addressed by the end of August,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
