The Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu has stated emphatically that\u00a0some of the doctors\u2019 demands in their conditions of service can simply not be met.<\/p>\n
He cited doctors\u2019 proposal to retire on their salaries as constitutionally provided for the President and other article 71-office holders.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”o4hyR53s6RECThyORapoePjPggAjNodw”]The GMA wants all members of the association who attain the rank of Principal Medical Dental Officer and above\u00a0to\u00a0retire on their last salaries when they have served a minimum of 15 years in the Ministry of Health agencies.<\/p>\n
However, Haruna Iddrisu insisted on Eyewitness News,<\/strong> that proposal cannot be considered.<\/p>\n \u201cIn some matters, we have written officially to them that this we can do, this we cannot do, and this is subject to further negotiations. An example is doctors wanting to retire on their salaries, Article 71 itself, the President has called for a review of it. The constitutional review recommended independent emolument committee.\u201d<\/p>\n He further argued, \u201cWe simply told the GMA that, that matter is constitution and therefore we have no legal mandate to make a determination of it. I cannot determine as Minister who should retire on his salary. It\u2019s a matter for the constitution. Those that the constitutional drafters wanted to, they did so for them. whatever it is, it is not a matter that can be resolved today or tomorrow,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Gov’t not against condition of service<\/strong><\/p>\n The Minister of Employment explained that government is not against the provision of a codified condition of service for the doctors in the country.<\/p>\n According to him, what government is against is the way the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is handling the issue<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n \u201cGovernment commenced negotiations with GMA as one group of many among health service workers who are desirous and have demanded to have a codified condition of service. In principle, government is not against it and indeed government is committed to it and will work towards its attainment with the corporation and collaboration of the GMA.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe condition of service document is a choice chapter document. The only matter in issue and contention now is issues relating to matters of remuneration and allowances. And I believe strongly that we will wither the storm,\u201d the Minister added.<\/p>\n