Government & hospital pharmacists to strike September 5

The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) has hinted of a imminent strike action commencing Monday September 5, 2016 if the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and allied bodies fails to address its grievances.

According to its leadership, only in-patients who are admitted on or before the 4th of September 2016 will be attended to, adding that the consequences of this industrial action should not be blamed on GHOSPA Executives and its members.

It expressed regret and described as persistent acts of injustice, unfairness and deliberate delay by the National Labour Commission (NLC), the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and its employers, the Government of Ghana in addressing its grievances on outstanding issues relating to the Interim Market Premium, Grade Structure and Placement and the Conditions of Service of our members.

In a release issued and signed by its National Chairman Badu Agyemang, he stated that a number outstanding issues including; the Job Evaluation Review exercise and lately the Job Re-Evaluation exercise be used as a basis for the placement of pharmacists on the SSSS , existing relativities in the health sector which is backed by all previous job evaluations are upheld on the SSSS to ensure stability, equity and fairness, recommendation of the Cabinet Sub-Committee report on GHOSPA’s issues pertaining to the Grade Structure and Placement and the Interim Market Premium be adopted and implemented are yet to be resolved.

He therefore warned that “the patience of pharmacists in the public sector is at stretched limits. Our members have fully and resolutely resolved to withdraw our services.

GHOSPA wishes to state that in the circumstances, their cherished patients, clients and general citizenry of Ghana should note that if on or before the Monday 5th of September 2016 ALL issues pertaining to the Pharmacists Interim Market Premium and Grade Structure and Placement are not addressed, resolved and fully agreed upon, with proper implementation guidelines and a roadmap and a clear direction to the Controller and Accountant Generals Department, ALL members nationwide will lay down their tools across all government institutions in the nation.

We can no more contain the patience and controlled attitude of our membership. As essential service providers, we expect that issues that pertain to public sector pharmacists are given the prompt response that it deserves”.