Dr. Franklin Amarh, First Vice Chairman of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU), has expressed outrage over the Ministry of Health’s perceived lack of urgency in addressing the union’s demands for improved working conditions.
Despite the Ministry’s appeal for MELPWU to end their strike and resume negotiations, Dr. Amarh insists that the government’s inaction prior to the strike demonstrates bad faith.
He points to the Ministry’s delayed response to the union’s letter, which was acknowledged on June 4 but ignored until the strike began on June 17.
Dr. Amarh believes the Ministry’s tardiness in addressing their concerns is a sign of disrespect, particularly since the government’s negotiation team had already agreed on most of the union’s proposals.
“The Ministry’s delay in responding to our letter was unacceptable,” Dr. Amarh said in an interview on 3FM’s Sunrise show with Johnnie Hughes on Wednesday, June 19.
“We had explicitly stated that our members were frustrated and desperate, and that if something wasn’t done quickly, we would be forced to take action. Yet, the Ministry chose to ignore our warnings and only responded when we went on strike.”
Dr. Amarh argues that the Ministry’s recent call for MELPWU to return to the negotiation table is disingenuous, given their lack of action before the strike.
“The Ministry’s appeal for us to come back to the table is nothing but a publicity stunt,” he said.
“They had ample opportunity to address our concerns before the strike, but they chose to ignore us. Now, they’re trying to save face by pretending to be concerned about the situation.”
The union’s strike, which began on June 17, is a response to the lack of progress in negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) over the past two years.
MELPWU members are demanding better conditions of service, including improved salaries, benefits, and working conditions.
