Defence Ministry assures Military Hospital staff on strike

Accra, Sept. 17, GNA - The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday told health workers at the 37 Military Hospital that efforts were underway to settle the differences in their additional duty allowance.

"We are working to secure them their due accordingly and any industrial action may be unnecessary."

Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.

The staff had indicated that they would embark on an industrial action if promises by the Sector Ministry to correct the anomalies in their allowances were not met.

The workers argued that while their colleagues at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital enjoyed 150 per cent of their salaries as additional duty allowance, they were given only 80 per cent of their salary. Dr Addo Kufuor said such matters take time and the nurses should be patient while the issue was being addressed.

Brigadier Dan Twum, Director of Medical Services of the Ghana Armed Forces, said steps had been taken to rectify the anomaly.

He said " everything is on course and it would be unfortunate for any industrial action at this point". 17 Sept 03