The Women’s Committee of the Volta Region branch of the Health Service Workers’ Union (HSWU) has marked this year’s May Day with a gesture of charity and a renewed call for improved working conditions for all categories of health workers.
Speaking during a presentation to the School for the Blind, the committee—led by Mabel Duvor—said the donation of food items symbolized “care, solidarity, and love” for vulnerable members of society.
“We have come together not only as union leaders but also as mothers,” Sister Duvor stated. “Today, we present these food items as a symbol of care, solidarity, and love.”
She emphasized that true national development goes beyond economic indicators. “We believe that true progress is not measured only by wages and policies, but also by how we touch lives and uplift one another,” she said, adding, “To the students and staff of the School for the Blind, you are part of our family, and we stand with you.”
The group also used the occasion to commend the ongoing efforts to employ allied health professionals and nurses. However, the committee raised concerns about the plight of casual workers within the health sector.
“We respectfully appeal that attention should also be given to casual workers—such as orderlies, records staff, laundry workers, accounts officers, security officers, drivers, and administrative staff,” Sister Duvor said.
According to her, many of these workers have served for more than a decade without being placed on the government payroll, earning as little as 700 Ghana cedis monthly.
“They have served diligently for over 10 years but are not on the government payroll. We kindly urge the government to consider regularizing their employment so they can enjoy fair and stable working conditions,” she added.
The committee further highlighted staffing challenges caused by unfilled vacancies following retirements among paramedical staff.
“For some years now, paramedical staff who have retired have not been replaced. This has created gaps in service delivery, and we humbly request that steps be taken to recruit and replace them,” Sister Duvor noted.
The union concluded with a call for inclusivity in labour policies. “Together, let us build a system that values every worker and leaves no one behind,” she said.
By Daniel Opoku
