Families found themselves unable to access the Korle-Bu Hospital Mortuary to retrieve their deceased loved ones on September 26.
At the same time, those wishing to deposit bodies for preservation faced disappointment as mortuary workers were on strike, seeking better working conditions.
During a visit to the morgue by a TV3 news team, groups of distraught families gathered only to learn that the morticians were not available. After waiting for hours without any assistance, many sought shade under nearby trees to escape the heat.
While the families did not participate in formal interviews, they voiced their frustration over the situation and its implications for their burial plans. Several families had hoped to have the bodies released on Thursday in preparation for weekend funerals, but that was not possible.
The strike by the mortuary workers is a protest against poor working conditions and mistreatment. They reported hazardous work environments, inadequate protective gear, and insufficient facilities, stressing that the lack of respect for their vital services has pushed them to take this action.
As outlined in Section 159 of Ghana’s Labour Law, Act 651 (2003), this strike is legitimate, allowing workers to withdraw their services due to unsafe or unfair conditions. The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) is demanding improvements in their working conditions, as well as fair wages, benefits, and overtime pay.
Off the record, the workers told TV3 that they would not dress the bodies for several days and would allow them to smell until their demands were met by authorities.
