The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) has canceled its planned strike after engaging in discussions with the National Labour Commission (NLC) on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, to address issues related to their working conditions.
The strike, initiated on Tuesday by the Mortuary Workers, was a result of unresolved concerns, including inadequate wages, substandard working conditions, and a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Richard Kofi Jordan, the General Secretary of MOWAG, confirmed in an interview that their members would resume their services. He stated, “Our members are actually at post and we have communicated clearly to them to continue to work. We have only expressed an intention to strike, but it hasn’t started. Mortuaries are open, and our services are ready.”
Addressing concerns about pending funerals, he reassured, “All those who have done funerals and are afraid that they might not have their bodies, I’m sorry to disappoint them; the bodies are there. Everybody should go pick up his/her body tomorrow, or Friday.”
The decision to call off the strike brings relief to the public, reliant on mortuary workers for essential services. Calls have been made for the government to collaborate with MOWAG in addressing the workers’ grievances to prevent potential future strikes.
