In light of the Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana’s recent announcement of an upcoming nationwide strike starting November 29, 2023, Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has shared his empathy and concern for the difficulties confronted by mortuary workers.
Sarkodie took to social media to express his understanding of the challenges inherent in the profession, highlighting the often overlooked and underappreciated nature of their work. He pointed out that despite being among the toughest and riskiest jobs, mortuary workers are frequently undervalued and underpaid. Sarkodie underscored the importance of addressing their concerns, advocating for fair wages, proper equipment, and a supportive working environment.
This will affect us heavy … Yes I wouldn’t want a strike especially from “them” but I understand… this is one of the underrated / underpaid jobs yet one of the hardest and riskiest jobs. They deserve the right salary , equipment and environment to work effectively … We can… https://t.co/BZ1M2u8htV
— Sarkodie (@sarkodie) November 24, 2023
The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana recently brought attention to persistent issues related to working conditions, salary discrepancies, and insufficient resources in the mortuary sector.
The association formally communicated their concerns by sending letters to various ministries, including Health, Employment and Labour Relations, National Security, Finance, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and the National Labour Commission, notifying them of their intention to take industrial action.
In a letter penned by the General Secretary, Richard Kofi Jordan, and sent to various institutions on Monday, November 20, the Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) expressed their frustration, stating that all attempts to address their concerns have been unfruitful. Consequently, they have decided to embark on a strike, a decision reached during a general meeting of their members and aligned with Section 159 of Act 651(2003) of the constitution.
While the letter doesn’t explicitly detail MOWAG’s unresolved issues leading to the indefinite strike, it is widely speculated to be related to inadequate conditions of service.
It’s worth noting that mortuary workers in Ghana are among the lowest-paid groups of workers in the country.
