Casual staff at the Northern Regional Hospital, also known as Tamale Central Hospital, have for the third time embarked on a sit-down strike over the delayed payment of five months’ salary arrears.

The orderlies, who called off an earlier strike on Wednesday, March 25, following intervention by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service and a promise that their salaries would be paid by Monday, March 30, say the commitment has not been fulfilled.

Last week, the absence of the orderlies significantly affected sanitation at the facility, leaving several wards and washrooms in poor condition.

Speaking to Channel One News on Wednesday, April 1, a member of the group, Laila Imoro, said only a few members received a month’s pay, while the majority are still waiting. She insisted the strike would continue until all arrears are paid.

“Last week we went on strike. And as the strike was proceeding, we were assured that we would be paid the following week on Monday. But the day before yesterday, they didn’t pay. They only picked some people and paid them one month each,” she sand.