Pharmacists, govt must return to the negotiating table
The Daily Graphic, in its Wednesday, September 7, 2016 issue, urged the government to ensure that containable labour issues did not escalate into industrial actions before steps were taken to address the concerns of striking workers because such redemptive actions always came at great cost.
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Our position was based on the fact that we have, as a nation, witnessed a number of industrial actions in the recent past whose legitimacy remains largely unquestionable.
We wish to restate our position that it is time we paused, as a nation, to critically reflect on the impact that such actions have on national productivity.
Again, our imploration is based on the fact that anytime state bodies decide to embark on industrial actions, they give some early warning signals.
When such signals are picked, the relevant ministries or institutions must take proactive steps in dealing with them before the situation blows out into large-scale industrial action.
We dare say that somehow a certain kind of culture seems to be taking root that industrial actions are effective tools that can be deployed to twist the arm of government in making it subservient to the demands of the striking group.
It is gradually becoming a convention for people to think that in an election year, there is the tendency for the government, in its bid to hold on to power, to give in to the demands made by striking workers’ associations.
However strong the case of a group may be, we must endeavour to place the interest of our dear country first. That is to say we must make a critical appraisal of the consequences of our actions, vis-à-vis their impact on the nation, and convince ourselves well before embarking on such moves.
While not sounding as a doomsday advocate, the intended “full-scale” strike by the Government Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) started with a partial withdrawal of services, with a threat to fully withdraw services if its concerns are not addressed by today.
The matter seems to have advanced, with the National Labour Commission (NLC) filing a case at the court seeking a declaration to the effect that the strike by GHOSPA is illegal.
The leadership of GHOSPA, in an attempt to call off the bluff, has also indicated that it will meet the NLC in court but still proceed with the full withdrawal of services today.
The Daily Graphic will not comment on the merits or demerits of the matter out of deference to the court of competent jurisdiction before which the matter is.
We still believe that negotiation remains a key factor in ironing out differences and arriving at a conclusion that will not have any adverse effect on the role that members of the association play within the national scheme of things.
We believe totally in the rule of law, but on this occasion, it is our stronger conviction that frank talk still holds the key to an amicable settlement of the grievances of GHOSPA and many other organised groups, rather than a strike or litigation.
Let’s pursue that path and return to the negotiating table in the interest of national harmony.
