24/7: Specialists Await a Decision from the Ministry

Two weeks after the Employment Relations Tribunal declared the 24/7 system imposed on specialists illegal, the Ministry of Health remains silent. The Government Medical and Dental Officers Association is still awaiting a summons, despite promises of a win-win solution from the ministry.

The verdict from the Employment Relations Tribunal (ERT), delivered two weeks ago, favored the specialist doctors' union, the Government Medical and Dental Officers Association (GMDOA). The case was challenging the Ministry of Health. The ERT ruled the unilateral implementation of the 24/7 physical presence system, imposed on obstetricians-gynecologists, pediatricians, and anesthesiologists in August 2022, as "illegal."

In various statements to the media, Health Minister Anil Bachoo emphasized his priority: the interests of patients. He stated that a decision would be made considering the rights of doctors in light of the verdict and asserted that meetings would occur with the concerned unions for a win-win solution. A ministry advisor made similar comments during the show "Au Cœur de l’info" on Radio Plus.

Radio Silence
Yet, fifteen days later, the union claims to have received no summons from ministry officials. To date, no decision has been made regarding the repeal or revision of the 24/7 system, to avoid harming either patients or specialists.

"We have not received any communication so far," stated Dr. Meetheelesh Abeeluck, president of the GMDOA. The union will wait until this Friday, January 30, to decide. "In the interest of mutual respect and good governance, the ministry should have already called us for a roundtable discussion to debate the ERT's verdict," Dr. Abeeluck added. For him, this deafening silence reflects once again the dysfunction within the ministry, marked by its administrative burdens.

In a letter addressed to the ministry, the GMDOA demanded the "immediate" revocation of the 24/7 system and threatened legal action for the harm caused to its members. By next week, it will announce its decision if no measures are taken that suit everyone, while respecting the ERT verdict.

Unilateral Decision
Since the 2022-2023 Budget, the ministry had imposed a 24/7 physical presence on these specialists. They contested this measure, explaining they had signed up for "night coverage," not a 24/7 system. According to them, this has led to excessive workloads: some have worked between 67 and 91 hours per week (instead of the normal 33¾ hours), with continuous shifts of 31 hours straight (from 9 AM to 4 PM the following day). Their initial hours were from 9 AM to 4 PM; from 4 PM to 9 AM the next day, it was the "on call" system for night coverage.

The ERT ordered the ministry to recognize this unilateral change as illegal and to revise it, as it violates international labor standards. However, fifteen days later, no decision seems to have been made. A response from the ministry is awaited in this regard.