Government has called on the public sector doctors to call off their strike with immediate effect since it is “illegal.\u201d<\/p>\n
A statement signed by the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Haruna Iddrisu stated that Government has been negotiating with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) over the conditions of service for medical officers.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”ANLaNcapCqf0dm7S5O2xTMmCSaQHjYPq”]\u201cGovernment is of the view that while these processes are on-going, it is unfair and against the rules of labour practice for the GMA to declare a partial strike by withdrawing all outpatient services.”<\/p>\n
“This amounts to coercion and an attempt to compel Government to negotiate under duress.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe current withdrawal of services is illegal and Government calls on the GMA to call of the partial strike with immediate effect,\u201d said Haruna Iddrisu.<\/p>\n
He further noted that “already the Public Service Joint Negotiating Committee (PSJNC) is involved in a universal discussion of Category 2 & 3 allowances adding that “any negotiations of such allowances must therefore be under the ambit and in line with the work of PSJNC.”<\/p>\n
“Further it is important for Government to conduct a financial analysis of the impact of any such conditions of service on Government expenditure in order not to adversely affect the annual budget approved by Parliament.”<\/p>\n
He stated that, as a result of the need to maintain equity and fairness in public sector remuneration, especially in order not to jeopardize the recently implemented Single Spine Pay Policy, it has become necessary for Government to seek the advice of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on the demands put forward by the doctors.<\/p>\n