The National Labour Commission (NLC) has ordered the Ghana Association of Biomedical Laboratory Scientists (GABMLS), not to embark on its proposed strike on August 22.
The NLC, in a letter sighted by Citi News, explained that the laboratory scientists are essential health service providers and thus must be restrained from any form of service withdrawal.
“The GABMLS and its members are essential service providers and are therefore restrained for embarking on any kind of strike whether total withdrawal of services, go slow or sit down as provided under section 163 of the labour act 2003 (Act 651) and regulation 20 of the Labour Regulation 207 LI 1833.”
The laboratory scientists on Thursday served notice of the strike set for August 22, after the Health Minister, Alex Segbefia missed a planned meeting to discuss the stalled implementation of the National Health Laboratory policy.
Biomedical lab scientists did not invite Minister – Health Ministry But the Ministry responded to the association’s explanation for the strike notice, saying the Minister did not show up because he was not invited to the said meeting that has angered them.
Parties to appear before the NLC
With the conflict in mind, the NLC has ordered the Health Ministry and GABMLS to appear before it on September 7 2016 for “a hearing and settlement of the matter.”
The NLC has also ordered the Health Ministry to furnish it with “an update of the steps taken to resolve the grievances of GAMBLS.”
GABMLS grievances
A statement signed by the President of GABMLS, Ignatius Awinibuno, accused the Health Ministry of disregarding their prior threats to strike saying, “the Minister of Health is not interested in improving and strengthening medial laboratory services for better quality health care in the country.”
The association had been calling on government to implement the National Health Laboratory policy as a matter of urgency.
The association believes this new policy is critical to raising the quality of laboratory science practice to international health standards.
It had been accusing the Health Ministry of dragging its feet in the implementation of the policy which was developed through the support of the United States Government in 2013.
The policy is meant to guide laboratory scientists in their operations to achieve quality service delivery and strengthen laboratory research.
Sign up here to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.
