The National Association of Registered Midwives, Ghana has joined calls by other public sector workers for a cost of living allowance.
In a press release dated July 10, the leadership of the association noted that like other republic sector workers, the current economic crisis is having some adverse effects on midwives across the country.
“We are in much agony over how the wellbeing of midwives is handled in these challenging times. The cost of living in Ghana has been high, particularly this year (2022) due to economic crises.”
“The leadership of NARM, GH seeks to add our voice to the ongoing concerns of various unions advocating for an immediate implementation of at least 20% Cost of Living Allowance for Public Sector Health Service Workers which include midwives in order to make workers feel at ease in this difficult times,” parts of the statement read.
This comes nearly a week after some organised labour unions began demanding the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) amidst the economic hardship that has dragged the country to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Already, teacher unions have declared an “indefinite strike” over the government’s failure to pay the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) they asked for.
Also, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) and the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives Ghana (UPNMG) are making similar demands.
Over 27,000 public sector workers are also likely to go on strike. This was after the workers said they can no longer shoulder the burden brought upon them by the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
Meanwhile, NARM is urging all its members to remain calm as they engage the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the government to improve the standard of living of midwives.
“NARM, GH, which has the best interests of all midwives at heart, especially their welfare, implores its members to remain calm and have faith in the leadership.”
They also urged the government to include all public sector workers in the payment of the cost of living allowance to avoid more industrial strikes.