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GMOA threatens to strike over promotions
View(s):Despite Postgraduate (PG) qualifications and experience, about 4,000 Grade II doctors have been waiting for more than three years for their promotion to Grade I, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) charged.
GMOA spokesman Dr. Navin de Soyza said doctors attached to state hospitals will go on an island-wide strike if the Service Minute of state sector medical professionals is not implemented by the end of this month.
The Service Minute of State sector employee includes promotions, salary structure, transfers, recruitment criteria etc.
He said, that, at present, regulations including promotions were made according to the Service Minute of 1991, although it had been recommended to follow the 2006 Salaries and Cadre Commission circular.
“The 1991 Minute states that a Grade II doctor can be promoted with 18 years of experience or, if he/she has PG qualification, in 10 years. But the 2006 circular by the Salaries and Cadre Commission recommended to promote doctors to Grade I, if the doctor had 10 years experience, while those with PG qualifications can be promoted after six years,” he said, adding that delay in implementing the 2006 circular has caused inconvenience, especially to those who are PG trainees.
According to him, the Health Ministry, Public Administration Ministry and Finance Ministry took about a year to approve the draft Minute
“ The draft has been with the Public Service Commission (PSC) for over a year. Though we continuously inquire, there has not been a positive response from the PSC. As thousands of doctors are inconvenienced, we have decided to go on an island-wide strike,” he said.
He said there were about 8,000 doctors in Grade II and about 1000-1,500 doctors in Grade 1. The basic salary of a Grade II doctor was Rs 27,500 while that of a Grade I doctor was Rs. 29,000.