The Public Service Commission (P.S.C.) has "improved its offer" for staff employed by the Ministry of Health with the two government entities now working to effect the new salaries by 1 July 2023. 

This breakthrough was confirmed by the Director General of Health, Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma in response to questions from the Samoa Observer. 

Aiono said the M.O.H. management and senior clinicians working for the Ministry had a "successful meeting" with senior officials and P.S.C. commissioners on Thursday last week. 

"It was a highly successful meeting that was conducted with respect from all sides," the Director General said. "The P.S.C. has improved their offer of salaries and conditions for the staff with options for those who want to opt out of contracts to service management contracts."

He also emphasised that the two government entities are working to iron out any "teething problems" moving forward, should the P.S.C. pushes through with the proposed base salary to avoid any effects on Samoa's health system. 

"The M.O.H. and P.S.C. are working together to make this happen on the 1^st of July. The merger, which was supposed to be completed 4 years ago, can now be completed with everyone under PSC conditions. Any teething problems will be ironed out as we move forward."

According to the Director General, they will uphold their principles and values to minimise any negative impact, not only to the M.O.H. staff but also to the people of Samoa by ensuring no disruption to their services. 

"To keep on doing what they have done recently. Stick to principles of good management and governance and continue being visible and dialoguing with the M.O.H. management and staff. 

"They have listened to the passion and commitment of staff and are willing to compromise in areas that are pragmatic without compromising on the P.S.C. Act and governance principles."

On Friday evening, the P.S.C. issued a statement to the media to explain their stance on the matter and their position as the administrator of public servants' salaries. 

"The Public Service Commission administers salary scales for all public servants, as well as prescribe the terms and conditions for employment of the same," the statement reads. 

"This role is carried out in close consultation with the relevant Ministries and professional groups as was the case with the Health Professionals. 

"In 2006, the Government approved the separation of the National Health Services (NHS) from the Ministry of Health (MOH) which saw the NHS operating as a separate entity from the Ministry of Health. In 2018, the Government approved the merge of the National Health Services (NHS) and the Ministry of Health. 

"This meant all former NHS workers, who were governed under the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013, would now be subject to the terms and conditions prescribed under the Public Service Act 2004.

"The Public Service Commission (PSC) to date are working with the Management of the Ministry of Health to settle all post-merge matters. 

"Under the Labour and Employment Relations Act (LERA) 2013, overtime is paid at the normal rate of pay regardless of the salary and position. The National Health Services through the LERA provisions accumulated excessive costs in particular for the payment of staff entitlements which reached an unsustainable level and affected available funding for other Hospital operations. 

"Under the Public Service working conditions, the rate for which overtime is paid, is at the current (normal) rate of pay for positions that are paid up to $18,494.00 p.a.  Those who are paid above $18,494, are paid at the fixed rate of $13.34 an hour (T1.5) and $17.78 an hour (T2), and not in accordance with their normal hourly rate. If normal conditions apply, all Health services employees will be paid at these rates under the PSC policies. 

 "Any employee who is employed on a contractual basis in the Public Service cannot claim overtime payment. This includes Chief Executive Officers, Assistant Chief Executive Officers, and in this case, all Health services employees who are on a contract of employment."