Accra, Oct. 11, GNA - The Ministry of Health has asked the striking doctors to return to work as negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission is underway (FWSC). "The Ministry of Health (MOH) wishes to encourage Members of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to co-operate with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to resolve all issues relating to the remuneration of Doctors," a statement issued in Accra by Dan Osman Mwin, Head of Public Relations, said in Accra.

It said while the MOH commits itself to ensuring fair and adequate remuneration for all categories of health workers, it is the view of the Ministry that this can only be done through proper procedure and respect for law.

"Section 162 of the labour Act, (Act 651) provides that a party to an industrial dispute shall not resort to strike action when negotiation is in progress.

"So far, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has for some time now been working with all the health professionals. Currently the number of professions within the health sector number about 61, which have been grouped under four main unions.

"The Commission has held various meetings with the different unions in order to determine the content of remuneration as well as establish the relativities that must exist among the various groups. "All the groups in the health sector have found the FWSC process fair, transparent and progressive. They have as a result worked with the FWSC to reach agreements on their remuneration," the statement said.

The statement said the only group which have not concluded agreement with the FWSC are the members of the GMA. It said the Ministry is aware that the FWSC has held various meetings with the GMA.

In addition to the efforts of the FWSC, the MOH has created opportunities for the parties to work towards a progressive solution. This has included a meeting at the Ministry on September 16, this year, where all the parties agreed to work towards peaceful resolution of the remuneration issues.

Another was a four-day working meeting with all professionals in the health sector at Dodowa where the principles guiding the salary determination and subsequent migration to the Single Spine Salary Structure were discussed and agreed upon. The negotiation has not concluded.

"Our understanding is that FWSC is still committed to continuing the negations. It is therefore the view of the Ministry that the people of Ghana, the poor and vulnerable as well as distressed patients would be served if the GMA continued to negotiate with a view to reaching agreement with the FWSC.

"The Ministry wishes to remind the GMA that as providers of essential services, they are enjoined by section 162 of the Labour Act to refer any problems they may have with the negotiation process to the Labour Commission if they are of the view that negation has broken down.

The ministry is therefore urging the GMA members to rescind their decision and return to work while they continue to negotiate the FWSC or allow the National Commission to arbitrate," the statement said.