The government of Ghana has described as false media reports that it has agreed to pay striking members of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) 50% of their basic salary as Professional Allowance.
According to a statement from the Health Ministry: “As was stated in an earlier statement by the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee (PSJSNC) is already involved in a universal discussion of Category 2 & 3 allowances.
“The Ho Forum had agreed that the implementation of these allowances be deferred until after all public sector workers have been migrated on to the Single Spine Salary Structure.”
“A number of demands contained in the GMA’s proposal fall under Category 2 and 3 and can therefore not be discussed between the Government and the GMA alone. Government wishes to restate that the negotiation of such allowances at the level of the PSJSNC is not negotiable. Any action to the contrary will seriously destroy the successful implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy, which has and continues to have huge financial implications for the taxpayer,” the statement signed by sector minister Alex Segbefia said.
It added: “We have remained committed to the negotiation process with the GMA and Organized Labour with the view to ensuring a harmonious and productive working environment in Ghana. This commitment underpins the latest meeting with the Ghana Medical Association, which took place today, Sunday August 09, 2015.
“Government wishes to remind the GMA that the on-going strike is a violation of the Labour Act of 2003, (Act 651), which requires that parties to negotiation should not embark on lockout or strike.”
Doctors in Ghana have been on strike over their conditions of service. The situation has resulted in loss of lives and congestion at the 37 Military and Police hospitals.
