Members of GHOSPA deserve fair treatment – Pharmacist

Mr Patrick Kumi, Brong-Ahafo Regional representative of Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) on Thursday said members of the association deserved fair treatment from the Fair Wages and Salary Commission (FWSC).

He said in view of equity and fairness, government through the FWSC must treat them fairly and in equal terms as their counterparts in other health institutions like the university hospitals in the country.

Mr Kumi, who is also the spokesperson for all the regional groups of GHOSPA, made the observation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani on their resumption of work, and the next line of action should FWSC fail to meet their demands.

Members of GHOSPA went on strike since April 8, this year, because of alleged discrepancies and distortions in their salaries by the FWSC, which had not been corrected to place them on the appropriate level.

Mr Kumi said they were placed far lower than their required level on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) based on the job evaluation for various categories of professionals and employees prior to the SSSS implementation.

“Pharmacists at the university hospitals performing the same work under the same conditions are five steps ahead of their counterparts in the Ghana Health Service (GHS). This is an attempt to under-value GHOSPA Members.”

Mr Kumi explained that GHOSPA decided to resume work since last Tuesday, June 18, because “The National Labour Commission (NLC) heeded to our call to take the matter to Court to compel the FWSC to comply with the NLC’s decision for the FWSC to restore our conversion difference and implement the Grade structure for GHOSPA Members”.

When GNA visited the Sunyani Municipal Hospital and the Brong-Ahafo Regional Hospital, the Pharmacists were on duty, whilst attendance at the Out-Patients Departments (OPDs) had increased.