Employment Minister Assures Striking Doctors Of Gov’ts Resolve To Complete Negotiations

Government has established a 12-chapter framework document stipulating conditions of service for health workers including the Ghana Medical Association, GMA. 

The move serves to indicate that government was willing and committed to providing codified working conditions for members of the GMA. 

Speaking on GBC URA Radio in Bolgatanga, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Haruna Iddrisu, said his ministry is concerned about the impasse between government and the GMA over conditions of service, stating that government was ready to resolve their grievances to the latter. 

This, he noted, can be realized if the leadership of the GMA is able to provide a level playing field for negotiation to take place. 

The Sector Minister however backed calls for the striking doctors to resume work while engaging government in negotiations. 

Mr Haruna Iddrisu was alarmed at media reports indicating the number of deaths recorded at the various health facilities as a result of the strike action by members of the GMA. 

He said lives lost can never be replaced and therefore innocent citizens should not be made to suffer the consequences of the ongoing withdrawal of services by striking doctors. 

Mr Iddrisu reiterated government’s readiness to complete negotiations for consideration into next year’s budget and asked the GMA to save lives by engaging government in a productive social dialogue.

GBC