Para veterinary professionals in the Upper East Region will embark on a sit down strike on December 7 until they are paid their interim market premium.
The para veterinary personnel who ensure the consumption of healthy meat products by supervising activities in the abattoirs and also work as veterinary laboratory technicians, say the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission is deliberately discriminating against them.
According to them, their colleague veterinary surgeons are enjoying the interim market premium.
Regional Chairman of the Para veterinary professionals , Mr. Robert Bayuo, told Citi News that they have been dialoguing with Fair Wages and Salaries Commission since 2011 after they were not included in the list of Health workers beneficiaries.
“The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission after close to four years of discussion, in response to a “request for response” on the matter of interim market premium by the National Labor Commission dated June 2015, and Management of veterinary services letter dated 25th August 2015, indicated in a letter dated 8th October by the FWSC that, they are unable to accede to the request of interim market premium for Para veterinary professionals but had granted interim market premium for veterinary surgeons”.
“The FWSC appealed to us to wait for the implementation of the labor market survey report that will establish the actual market premium levels for public sector workers, but this is unfair and must be urgently dealt with”, Mr. Bayuo stated.
Mr. Bayuo stated that, their members will from November 23 to 28th November, hoist red flags at their work places and put on armbands as a caution to authorities.
“If nothing positive is done, between 30th November to 5th December, we will only “work to rule” meaning we will not work extra hours as we do and also withdraw weekend services.”
The workers say they will finally commence a sit-down strike from 7th December until their interim market premium is paid.
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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana