The National Labour Commission (NLC) has declared the ongoing strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) as illegal.
In a press release dated June 4, 2025, the Commission directed the GRNMA to call off its strike action and return to the negotiation table in good faith. According to the NLC, the action by the nurses and midwives violates Sections 159 and 161 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which stipulate that workers must not embark on industrial action while negotiations or dispute resolution processes are ongoing under the Commission’s intervention.
The Commission revealed that it had invited all parties involved in the dispute – GRNMA, the Ministry of Health, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission – to appear before it on 6 June 2025 at 11:00 AM. The GRNMA was also ordered to ensure that no member engages in picketing or any unlawful protest during the negotiation period.
READ: MoH Appeals to GRNMA to Call Off Planned Strike, Outlines Contingency Measures
“The GRNMA is to call off the ongoing industrial action and comply with the directives of the Commission,” the statement said.
The Commission warned that failure to comply with the directive would amount to contempt and a breach of the Labour Act, and could result in further legal consequences.
The GRNMA declared a strike this week, citing the government’s failure to implement a collective agreement signed in 2024. However, the NLC maintains that its intervention makes the strike unlawful and premature.
READ: We Won’t Rescind Without Any Action – GRNMA Over Planned Strike
The Commission reiterated its commitment to facilitating fair negotiations and ensuring that the labour laws of Ghana are upheld.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Risa Wyettey Cofie
