Govt pharmacists lay down tools

Members of the Government Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOPSA) have begun an indefinite strike to pressurise government to resolve discrepancies in their market premium payment.

According to the group, the strike has become necessary since negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on their grade structure and placement have not been conclusive.

GHOPSA has thus directed its members to withdraw their services from today.

A statement signed by the National Chairman of GHOPSA, Agyemang Badu, nonetheless, expressed optimism that the strike would compel government to meet their demand.

It said, “Though essential service providers, since September 2010 GHOSPA has patiently adhered to several agreements, assurances, due process and negotiations with the hope that its grievances in respect of a grade structure and placement and interim market premium would be addressed. Not even a compulsory arbitration process at the NLC and a Cabinet Sub-Committee report recommendations has been able to resolve it.”