The Department of Health acknowledges that there has been a delay in the payment of the Occupational Specific Dispensation to doctors as agreed.
The matter has been detected by the Department of Health. Every effort was taken to correct the situation.
Doctors will be paid their OSD and they will receive their money in their bank accounts on Monday, 21 December 2009. The balance of payment will be made on 24 December 2009.
The department is unaware of the non-payment of five percent gratuity. The records in the Department of Health indicate that this has been paid.
Background
South African Medical Association notes with concern the early indications that several potential problems with the implementation of the Occupational Specific Dispensation for medical doctors are starting to emerge. As per the agreement, several processes should have occurred.
These include payment of a once off five gratuity, back payment in lieu of the implementation date being 1 July 2009 and finally the translation of doctors to an appropriate OSD category taking into consideration relevant experience and qualifications.
To date, several categories of doctors, for example: sessional doctors have not been paid a five gratuity, lack of uniformity in the implementation process across the provinces, inappropriate translations not accounting for qualification and experience and unilateral implementation by the employer.
SAMA notes the reported improvement and expedited implementation of the working conditions of professional soldiers following the conclusion of negotiations.
SAMA is mindful and cognisant of the difficult road travelled in the recent past to achieve the OSD for doctors including the unprecedented strike in June 2009. SAMA calls on the Department of Health to uniformly and appropriately implement the OSD as per both the letter and spirit of the original agreement.
Enquiries:
Celia Hugo
Tel: 012 481 2052
Cell 072 399 5858
Charity Bhengu
Cell: 083 679 7424
Issued by: Department of Health
19 December 2009
