Lab professionals continue to strike despite Health Ministry’s call for suspension

The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) on Monday, June 18, 2024, embarked on their earlier announced strike action in protest of a lack of conditions of service.

The union had, in an earlier statement on June 3, 2024, cited undue delays in concluding its negotiations with the National Labour Commission and a lack of financial clearance for non-mechanised members as reasons for their action.

“Without prejudice to the directives given by the National Labour Commission on May 30, 2024, we recognise that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ministry of Finance are deliberately frustrating the efforts of a rather peaceful union that is ensuring that the labour-management relationship does not suffer.”

“To prevent a rather explosive situation that cannot be easily managed by the union, the National Executive Council, at an emergency meeting, approved the demands of membership to proceed with a full-blown industrial strike action effective Monday, June 17, 2024, to enable them to press home the needed attention and importance to be given to the concerns of the union,” the June 3 statement from MELPWU partly read.

In an SMS message sighted by The SIkaman Times to its members on Sunday, members of the MELPWU were urged to abide by the strike action and provide copies of a notice of the strike action to their employers if need be.

“MELPWU is serving notice of a nationwide strike from Monday, 17th June, 2024 to demand for Conditions of Service. All members including those in CHAG facilities are to participate. Don’t be intimidated.”

“Comrade. The strike begins on Mon.17th June. Stay at home. Don’t go to work till it is called off. Casuals and CHAG facilities are to take part. We cannot fail!” the SMS message read.

However, in a statement on Monday, June 17, 2024, the Health Ministry assured the medical laboratory professionals that their demands are still on the negotiating table and urged them to suspend their strike while the negotiation continues.

“The Ministry can confirm that the negotiations are still ongoing and appeal to the leadership of MELPWU to reconsider its decision to strike and return to the negotiation table with the Government Negotiation Teams, which include the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

But, as of the morning of Tuesday, June 18, 2024, The Sikaman Times can report that the strike action is ongoing per a communication by the leadership of MELPWU to its membership and checks with local hospitals.

“We’re still on strike!!!. Don’t go to work. Let’s stay united and fight. Together, the union protects us.”