Mortuary workers in the country die as paupers due to the very little importance placed on their works, a member of the Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) has revealed.
General Secretary of MOWAG, Richard Kofi Jordan, revealed that their the take-home salaries of MOWAG members range between GH₵200-GH₵800, an amount he described as insulting.
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The over 400 mortuary workers have, therefore, threatened to embark a demonstration on November 20, 2018, in protest against their poor working conditions.
Mr Jordan on Adom FM’s Fabewoso programme Wednesday said members were at high risk of contracting five different types of cancers because they inhale the chemicals used in preserving the bodies due to the absence of protective gears.
“The chemicals we use give us five different kinds of cancers, the government is aware of this situation. We are also at risk of blindness but nobody is addressing our challenges,” he bemoaned.
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The General Secretary said mortuary workers are perpetually denied their annual leaves in violation of section 20 of Act 651.
Most members, according to him, work more than the required 8 hours including Saturdays and Sundays in violation of section 33 of Act 651.
He noted that their meagre salary, as well as allowances given to them, has left them in hardships.
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Mr Jordan said they have given the Ministry of Health up to November 19 after which they will strike to drum home their displeasure.
“We are in pain and with the hardship in the country, everybody is hot,” fumed.