We Don�t Have A Problem With The NLC�s Court Action - GMA

The Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association Dr Justice Yankson has stated that the association does not have problem with the National Labour Commission�s (NLC) attempt to secure a court order to compel them to go back to work and they would comply with any directive from the court. �As far as the Ghana Medical Association is concerned we are very law abiding, if now they say that we are essential service providers so they are taking us to court, we don�t have a problem� he said. The NLC yesterday filed an affidavit in court seeking to compel the doctors who have been on strike for over two weeks to go back to work. Speaking on Citi FM�s Eyewitness News program Dr. Yankson stated that as far as they are concerned, government has accepted liability and all they seek is a commitment that they [government] would pay them. �They told us clearly through the Minister of Health that that issue is not in contention. The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) have also never disputed the fact that our pensions have been reduced and that the conversion difference ought to be paid to us� he stated. According to him, based on previous experiences with the government, FWSC and the NLC in particular, a written document as well as a payment plan that is acceptable to both parties. He opined that �they have come to a negotiation that if governments� inflow is not the best now, we are not going to hold you to pay us everything. We are ready to give you room to pay over a period.� He argued that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed is not binding on anyone and it can be used against them [doctors]. He cautioned that the FWSC, NLC and the court to be present at the hospitals to implement the ruling when it is given by the court to compel them to work. �Whatever the court will say, we will go by it but the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the court and the National Labour Commission will then have to come to our work places and enforce or supervise our work� he stated.