Health service workers call for immediate suspension of HSWU Fund

Members of the Health Services Workers Union (HSWU) in Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions are calling on their leadership to halt the GHS50.00 monthly deductions meant for the HSWU Fund and refund all moneys deducted so far from members.

They say even though the intentions for setting up the fund are generally laudable; their leadership should have sought their prior approval before any deductions.

According to them, they were not adequately informed and educated on the benefits therein for the establishment of the fund prior to the start of the monthly deductions and called for broader consultations among the rank and file of the Union before for it could be re-started.

This was at their meeting held in Sunyani to deliberate on the Fund and other related matters as part of the 80th anniversary of the Union.

The members further called for details of how far discussions on their conditions of service have reached as well as measures being taken by leadership to champion their welfare.

The Regional Chairman of the Union, Theophilus Kofi Tsikata and Mr. Adoma Hudu Lukeman, BAR NEC Member, took turns to emphasize the importance of the fund and called members to look at the enormous benefits that will accrue to them if they make it work.

The two assured the members that they would transmit their concerns to the national leadership of the Union for appropriate actions to be taken.

Members of the union later donated to the maternity ward of the Sunyani Municipal Hospital as part of the 80th anniversary of the HSWU.

Remain calm
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of HSWU, Franklin Owusu Ansah, is calling for calm among members while the National Executive Council takes the necessary steps to address members’ concerns about the Fund.

Launching the 80th anniversary of the HSWU in Accra, Mr. Owusu Ansah explained that at the 13th Quadrennial National Delegates’ Conference which is the highest decision-making body of the Union, it was agreed that GH¢50.00 be deducted from members to serve as their Tier 3 pensions scheme.

“In August 2024, the first batch of the deductions were done, and some Union members expressed their displeasure for the deductions and raised issues of which the Leadership of the Union has taken keen interest to address. Meanwhile, other Union members are also calling for increment of their contributions. Hence, all these issues would be considered for all members’ satisfaction, therefore, we call on members to be calm…”, he added.

Mr. Owusu Ansah paid glowing tribute to the founders of the union and mentioned negotiating for improved remuneration and other conditions of service for members, welfare scheme benefits, ensuring harmonious working relationship between employers and employees and the provision of legal services for members against unfair labour practices as some of the achievements of the union over the years.

Background
Trade unionism in the health sector is said to have begun in the early part of 1944. Specifically, unionism in the health industry started at Takoradi in the Western Region at the then European Hospital now known and called Takoradi District Hospital.

The Gold Coast Hospital Employees Union (GCHEU) was formed in the early part of 1944 at the European Hospital currently called Takoradi Hospital.

Unionism in the health sector later spilled over to the Ashanti Region, Brong Ahafo Region and the Northern Regions which was known as the Northern Territory.

The Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) of Trades Union Congress, Ghana was born in September 1966 through the merger of the then three independent trade unions which existence in the colonial era.

HSWU, immediately after the Prempeh College conference of HGHWU applied and was issued with a Collective Bargaining Certificate (CBC) that empowers it to practice Collective bargaining as well as negotiate for improved conditions of services for its members.

In line with the requirements of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), the National Union has been registered with the Registrar General’s Department and issued with a certificate to commence business as a trade union and a certificate of incorporation.

From the time that HSWU was founded, it has assisted many health workers, management, employers and other organizations with relevant information on its operations both internally and externally.