Accra, July 24, GNA - The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) on Monday appealed to the Government, as a matter of urgency, to sign a Collective Bargaining Agreement on the negotiation and implementation of its new salary structure by the end of August 2006.

The Association said this would help to remove any ambiguity and mistrust in the minds of both employers and employees.

This was contained in a communiqu=E9 issued at the end of the Association's Fourth National Executive Council Meeting held in Bolgatanga to deliberate on the implementation of the new Health Sector Salary Structure and other pertinent issues.

The Association charged the Government to respect the negotiated agreement and correct all distortions in the new salary structure without delay.

"We reiterate the understanding reached at the negotiation table that issues regarding overtime allowance and other conditions of service must form part of a separate negotiation, with absolutely no unilateral action on the part of either party".

It said the GMA was not happy about the attempt to vary the conditions of service, which did not form part of the negotiations for basic salary, such as the possible attempt to abolish the payment of car maintenance and fuel allowances.

The Association expressed concern about the delay in negotiation and extension of the new pay scheme to colleague doctors and dentists in the Military, Police, Universities and other quasi-government health institutions.

The GMA called on the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service to expedite the appointment of qualified doctors to the position of Senior Specialists and Consultants, and to address overdue promotions for the ranks of doctors and dentists, in line with the new policy on promotions.