Deputy Minister of Health, Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, has given the strongest indication yet that government is not prepared to yield to the doctors’ demand and has dared them to take the government’s offer or leave it.
He also stated - now that the Ghana Medical Association and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission would undergo a compulsory arbitration - the doctors have no choice but to call off the strike, since their resolve would amount to flouting the rules of engagement of arbitration.
He told Joy News’ Araba Koomson on Friday that it would be “unethical” for the doctors to insist on going on strike whilst the arbitration continues.
“The rules of engagement of arbitration are very clear; that the parties, before arbitration can be empanelled, cannot continue with the lockout action, and cannot continue with the strike action.
“And that it behoves them (doctors), if they want to prepare themselves for arbitration, to go back to work immediately. It is not an option that is available to them.”
Mr Mettle-Nunoo minced no words when he challenged the doctors to advise themselves, and if possible, resign from government health facilities and resort to their private practice.
“The options are clear…the reason for establishing the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission was to establish fair wages. They are free to advise themselves if, they think the employer, which is government, is unable to meet their demand; I think they have an option of going to private practice.”
The Deputy Minister, who appeared livid by the insistence of the doctors said the doctors are not reasoning along that lines life lost can never be regained.
“If they can promise me that they can bring every single person who died in Ghana back to life, right, I can accept the kind of things they are going through.”
It has been two weeks since the doctors and government have been haggling over the matter of their placement on the new pay structure. The Labour Commission has directed that the doctors and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission go into compulsory arbitration on Monday. Junior doctors have served notice they will not accede to any compulsory arbitration, contending the last time they did, they were the poorer for it.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Medical Association Council is expected to meet on Sunday October 23 to review the doctors' strike.
Story by Isaac Essel/myjoyonline.com/Ghana
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/75157.php
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