By Kodjo Adams
Accra, Nov. 8, GNA – The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has refuted claims by the Health Services Workers’ Union for delaying negotiations on their conditions of service.
The Health Services Workers’ Union on November 7, 2024, in a press statement indicated their intention to “advise themselves in a language the government best understands” if negotiations are not concluded on their Conditions of Service by Monday, November 11, 2024.
The Commission has called on the leadership of HSWU to retract the said press release and issue an apology.
“Threatening and intimidating a party despite all the goodwill that government has demonstrated amounts to bad faith, and government cannot be accused of any delays,” the Commission said.
Mr Benjamin Arthur, the Chief Executive, FWSC said this in Accra on Friday at a press briefing to respond to the concerns of the Union.
“FWSC has at all times shown great commitment towards the negotiation of conditions of service for members of the Health Services Workers’ Union in line with Section 97 of the Labour Act 2003, Act 651,” he said.
Mr Arthur expressed concern that after HSWU submitted its proposals, the parties signed rules of engagement on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, to commence negotiations.
He said on October 9, 2024, the parties met to conclude and sign an agreement, and at the tail end of the meeting, the Union made an appeal that the parties should hold on with the signing because HSWU was of the opinion that the majority of their members would not benefit from the agreement and wish to table new items for negotiations.
The government team cautioned the Union that the new demand would prolong the negotiations; however, the government team requested HSWU to put their new demand into writing.
Mr Arthur said on November 5, 2024, HSWU was invited to a meeting on November 7, 2024, only for them to hurriedly issue a press release just hours before the meeting.
“FWSC is of the view that this is an unfair labour practice and a show of bad faith,” he said.
A meeting, he stressed, was subsequently scheduled for Monday, November 11, 2024, where parties have agreed to meet and conclude negotiations.
“We therefore urge HSWU to continue its engagements with the government team in order to conclude negotiations as soon as practicable,” he said.
GNA