No deal yet for junior doctors, RHAs

The Ministry of Labour is still mediating negotiations between doctors and their employer, the Regional Health Authorities, in an attempt to reach settlement for new terms and conditions for junior doctors. A meeting took place on Monday but vice-president of the Medical Professionals Association Dr Lakhan Roop yesterday said it was brief and there has been no change. He said when the doctors left, talks continued between the RHAs and the Ministry.

Both parties were awaiting word from the Ministry yesterday. The RHAs and doctors are unable to agree on overtime for doctors working weekends and public holidays and a gratuity. The RHA offer for gratuity is based on 20 percent of basic salary while doctors have said that this is incorrect and it should be 20 percent of gross salary. The doctors are citing the Chief Personnel Officer’s words in July 2000 Trinidad Gazette when she said gratuity payment for statutory bodies should be 20 percent of gross salary.