The National Labour Commission (NLC) has secured an ex-parte interlocutory injunction restraining Public nurses, Mid-wives, Physician Assistants (PA) and Anaesthetists (CRA) from embarking on a planned strike declared by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association ( GRNMA).
The ex-parte interlocutory injunction which was granted by the Industrial and Labour Court Division of an Accra High Court restrains the GRNMA, its executives and members from embarking on its intended industrial action over conditions of service.
According to the High Court presided by Justice Frank Aboadwe Rockson, the restraining order was granted after scrutinizing affidavits presented by the Executive Secretary of NLC, Ofosu Asamoah on September 18, 2020 and submission made by the counsel of NLC in support of the Ex-parte motion filed for an interlocutory injunction.
“It is hereby ordered that the respondent (GRNMA) here in by itself, its Executives, officers, members, agents, servants, employees and other persons are hereby restrained from embarking on its intended strike action on Monday the 21st of September, 2020,” the restraining order stated.
The restraining order is for a period of 10 days and after which it maybe be repeated on notice.
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) in a statement dated September 17, 2020 directed all its members including Nurses, Midwives, Physician Assistants and Anesthetists to withdraw their services indefinitely from Monday, September 21, 2020.
The intended industrial action was to press home its demands for improved condition of service.
This was after a series of meetings with government over its demands yielded no positive results. The meetings were held to negotiate on conditions of service including the Non-Core Category two and three allowances for members of GRNMA.
The association said, in the statement declaring the strike, that proposal by its employer which is government cannot serve the interest of its members hence the decision.
It added that though the government’s position on its demand “changed for better”, its expectations were not met.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Registered Midwives, Ghana (NARM Gh) has called on midwives across the country to disregard the strike action declared by the GRNMA.
The association in a statement dated September 18, 2020 urged all practicing midwives to “remain at post whilst leadership (of NARM Gh) continue to engage government through the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to resolve other outstanding issues.”
