Government urges nurses, midwives to cancel planned strike

The National Labour Commission and Ministry of Health have made an appeal. They want the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to cancel its planned strike. This strike is set for Monday, July 29, 2024. The government calls the strike illegal and premature.

The statement says the GRNMA's decision is “illegal, null and void.” This is due to their failure to follow proper procedures under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651). The Commission noted that GRNMA did not give the required notice. They also did not exhaust lawful negotiation options.

The planned strike responds to stalled negotiations over better working conditions. It would impact healthcare delivery across the country. Public health facilities rely heavily on nurses and midwives for care.

The government reminded everyone about ongoing dialogue processes. The Ministries of Health, Employment and Labour Relations, and Finance are engaging with GRNMA leadership. They aim to resolve concerns amicably.

The Ministry of Health reassured that they care about nurses' welfare. They urged GRNMA leaders to return to negotiations in good faith.