2007 sedqa agreement still not in force

The Medical Association (MAM) has called on the Ministry of Social Policy and the sedqa agency to implement a collective agreement signed in November 2007 which brings doctors' working conditions at the agency in line with those of their colleagues in the public sector.

"A handful of dedicated and motivated doctors carry out essential work with people suffering drug dependence and alcohol related problems. This valuable work to society in general, to the patients and their families merits its due recognition from the authorities concerned," the association said.

It said that while it appreciated that a new chief executive had just taken office, it was clearly time for the agency to do justice with its employees and find a satisfactory outcome in the immediate future.