Health workers raise alarm over unpaid ’13th month salary’, staff shortages

The Health Services Workers’ Union has raised concerns over the non-payment of its ‘13th-month salary’ agreed under the collective agreement, while warning of severe staff shortages in public health facilities across the country.

The Union’s Principal Industrial Relations Officer, Jerry Detse Mensah-Pah, says the unpaid benefit is among several outstanding labour issues, including personnel placement and inadequate recruitment of non-clinical health workers.

The Union says the shortage has left existing workers overburdened, with some working excessively long hours and reportedly experiencing health challenges.