General News of Monday, 17 June 2013

Source: joyonline

GMA accuses gov’t of non-commitment

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has taken a swipe at government for not showing commitment to finding a lasting solution to all its grievances. The doctors called off a month-old strike over their market premium in May.

The GMA has confirmed that issues relating to market premiums have been resolved, but problems with doctors' conversion difference are still pending.

The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), however, has stated public sector medical doctors are not entitled to the conversion difference.

The conversion difference is paid to an employee whose basic salary and allowance is higher than what they would enjoy after migration onto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).

The conversion difference is paid to these employees so they would not be worse off when migrated onto the SSSS.

GMA President, Dr. Kwabena Opoku-Adusei, said it is obvious government is solidly behind every stand the FWSC has taken, including their case before the High Court.

“Government is playing the ostrich,” he stated. He disagreed with the position of government that, it is the Commission that has the mandate to bring closure to the issue.

Dr Opoku-Adusei claimed government is happy with the current situation because it has not called the Commission to order, even though they have breached several agreements on the matter.

He, however, expressed hope for an early resolution of the matter so doctors can “work in happiness”.