The Ministry of Health has commended the Ministry of Finance And Economic Planning, Controller and Accountant General?s Department for fulfilling government?s promise made to workers in the health sector including the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and Government And Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOPA) of paying first four (4) months market premium.
According to the Ministry of Health, the gesture was government?s effort at ensuring industrial harmony across the labour front.
The ministry is optimistic that all issues relating to worker agitations in the health sector would be addressed in due course.
?However, it is breath taking to note that Market Premium for the months from the month of January to April, 2013 has been paid to workers in the health sector.?
It would be recalled that the Hon. Minister for Health Ms Sherry Ayittey promised she was going to play a leadership role of resolving impasses between Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and some Labour Unions in the Health sector.
The MoH is hopeful that all issues relating to the migration of health workers unto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) would be resolved and we call on all to stop using strike action as a bargaining tool.
It is also regrettable to note that lives that were lost during the strike action can?t be revived meanwhile we have been paid for these periods.
This is a lesson all of us will have to learn from; so we should be humane in our demands.
