The
Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) has cautioned heads of
health facilities against what it says are ‘subtle threats” against striking
members.
The
public pharmacists have been on strike over their market premium and
implementation of a ruling by the National Labour Commission (NLC) on their
conversion difference and grading structure under the Single Spine Salary
Structure.
Regional
representatives of the Association at a forum in Kumasi stated they will resist
any attempt to sabotage the welfare of individual pharmacist or pharmacy
technician “who have been short-changed by the Fair Wages and Salaries
Commission (FWSC)”.
“No
CEO of any teaching hospital or any hospital management will be allowed to
stand in our way to press home our demand for the full implementation of NLC’s
ruling on our grade structure”, said Spokesperson, Patrick Kumi.
The
Association says members remain resolute to stay out of work until the FWSC
complies with the NLC directive.
Government
expected the pharmacists to resume work as the Health Ministry sets up a
committee to handle their grievances.But GHOSPA has registered its displeasure with the way government has chosen to address their concerns.
According
to the Association, the inaugurated Committee “is not a Cabinet Sub-Committee
as earlier proposed by the Minister of Health and the Chief of Staff”.
“Its
outcome could be deemed a political interference and could undermine the very
institutions of state we want to see function independently and objectively” it
said.
Mr.
Kumi says the pharmacists will not relent in their quest for justice, fairness
and equity on the SSSS implementation.
“We
are on strike because of impunity on the part of the FWSC… We are telling the
whole country that we are not going back to work until pharmacists are placed
on the appropriate salary levels and that, the consequences thereof should be
laid at the doorstep of government and its FWSC”, he said.
Story
by Kofi Adu Domfeh
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