A labour analyst, Senyo Adjabeng, is advocating the inclusion of a neutral third party facilitator in talks between doctors and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission as it is becoming likely the talks may soon break down. Mr Adjabeng believes section 153 of the Labour Act allows the two parties to invite a neutral third party facilitator to help resolve the communication and negotiation problem before it hits a deadlock. “This has to be someone both parties have confidence in to be able to assist them to resolve the problem because they do not have time.” Senyo Adjabeng says if the two parties fail to do this by June 6, 2013, the fast Track High Court will be compelled to make a determination on the matter, something he says could be avoided through negotiations. The National Labour Commission (NLC) filed a case at the Accra High Court seeking to compel the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to go back to work by April 10, 2013. The Atterney-General (A-G) and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission requested to join suit in the case, but the Financial Division of the Fast Track High Court has rejected their request. The court ruled that allowing the two bodies to join the suit would protract the case. It then advised the A-G’s Department and the FWSC to be on the negotiation table with the GMA to resolve the impasse. The court issued a one-week ultimatum to the NLC, the GMA and the FWSC to agree on a payment schedule on the conversion difference for doctors, but when the case was called the parties had not reached an agreement as directed by the court. This development compelled the presiding judge, Mr Justice John Ajet-Nasam, to adjourn the case to June 6, 2013 and directed the parties to resolve their differences by that date. According Senyo Adjabeng, the impasse between the two parties is not a matter for litigation, but a matter demanding alternative dispute resolution. Over the weekend, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) hinted of another strike soon if the clergy, council of state and Ghanaians in general do not put pressure on government to immediately address their concerns. GMA President, Dr. Kwabena Opoku Adusei, told Joy News the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission are not committed to resolving the conversion difference issue. However, Chief Executive Officer of Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, George Smith Graham explains payment of the conversion difference will trigger confusion in the salary structure. Speaking on the Super Morning Show Tuesday, he said the purpose is to ensure equity among all public sector workers, but not to favour a particular group over the other.