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People must not die because of illegal strike - Prez Mahama

President John Mahama says the demands by the GMA will adversely affect the Single Spine pay policy

 

President John Mahama says it is wrong for doctors to embark on strike stating that the action by the doctors is illegal.

According to him, "It's not like government is not paying their salaries and allowances. People must not die because of this strike."

He stated: "The labour law states that nobody must negotiate under duress. Even before negotiations begun they declared strike, adding that We're paying doctors their salaries and allowances as negotiated on single spine. This is about conditions of service," the president stated an interview with national broadcaster Uniiq FM in Accra Wednesday.

“A leader must take the decision that needs to be taken and I believe Ghanaians are discerning.

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“I think that the time has come when we have to do what we have to do and not keep an eye on the political ball. This government has taken some of the toughest decisions" he stated.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) Thursday July 30, 2015 declared a nationwide strike over conditions of service.

The move follows the inability of government to resolve their grievances over their working conditions.

A meeting between government and the leadership of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) on several occasions ended in a deadlock.

The doctors exited the meeting and declared the industrial action. They have also threatened to begin a mass resignation in the coming days.

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The public sector physicians have been at loggerheads with government over their service conditions for several years now.

The president on August 5, 2015 said he will not go beyond the budget allocation in dealing with the Ghana Medical Association's demand for conditions of service.

The President said yielding to the demands by the doctors will mean derailing efforts made by government so far on the Single Spine Pay Policy

But President Mahama, however, pleaded with the doctors must go back to work while negotiations continue in good faith.

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