Government has presented a counter proposal to the demands made by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA).<\/p>\n
Members of the GMA who are currently on strike, demanding that government provides them with conditions of service.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”GUEs7JanfCdwC8RSlokzahFGSO1EQImQ”]They have among other things, proposed that government provides them with 40% of their basic salary as accommodation allowance as well as \u00a0100, 90 and 80 gallons of fuel per month for the different levels of the profession.<\/p>\n
They further demanded that government provides them with 50% of basic salary per month as professional allowance.<\/p>\n
They have also demanded clothing allowance of 30% of their basic salary every month.<\/p>\n
However in a statement jointly signed by the Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, George Smith Graham, and Deputy Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, government said it can only provide 50, 40 and 30 gallons of fuel for Senior Specialist to Consultant, Principal Medical Officer to Specialist and House officer to Senior Medical Officer respectively.<\/p>\n
On allowances, the letter stated that \u201cthis is compensable factor considered in the nationwide job evaluation to determine the grade levels of all public service workers. It has therefore been consolidated into basic salary.\u201d<\/p>\n
On clothing allowance, the letter added that \u201cgovernment shall earmark 10% of IGF to meet the clothing needs of health professionals and the provision of equipment. These shall be provided at the facility level. The MOH shall have a dedicated account for those purposes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The letter further assured of government efforts in providing logistics to beef up the work of the doctors.<\/p>\n
“That in the negotiations with the Health Services Classification if there is any allowance peculiar to the GMA, government will negotiate with GMA alone on those peculiar issues.\u00a0That other tools and equipment needed for the effective and efficient running of Hospital, Clinics, Health centres and facilities are catered for under the ‘Goods and Services’ votes and Internal Generated Fund (IGF).”<\/p>\n
“The allowances that are sector-specific or group specific shall be negotiated at the level of the sector or group.\u00a0That under the circumstance, the attached shows the respnses from the governent to the GMA proposals bordering on Category 4 allowances which are for the Directors and above in the public service.
\nThat the negotiated benefits and allowances will take effect from January, 2016 consistent with the plan for all public service institutions.”<\/p>\n