GMA suspends planned strike

The Ghana Medical Association says it has suspended its planned March 3, 2014 withdrawal of services in recognition of efforts by the National Labour Commission (NLC) to resolve the non-payment of Conversion Difference to doctors by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

A letter signed by the General Secretary of the GMA, Dr. Frank Serebour, dated February 28 and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NLC said the GMA was favourable to the relisting of the matter at the High Court in an attempt by the NLC to enforce its decision on the Conversion Difference.

The letter was copied to the Office of the President; Chief of Staff; Minister of Health; Minister of Employment & Labour Relations; The Chief Executive Officer, FWSC; The Speaker of Parliament; The Majority Leader of Parliament and The Minority Leader of Parliament.

“In the light of the above, the GMA will like to inform the Commission that, we have stayed action on our intended suspension of services which was supposed to have started on the 3rd of March, 2014.

“Meanwhile, we will like the NLC to note that GMA will be monitoring development keenly,” the statement said.

The GMA on February 5 served notice members might be forced to down their tools if the NLC continued to dragging its feet in taking steps to enforce a ruling that favoured members of the GMA.