Striking members of the Government Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA), have threatened to withdraw emergency services within ten days, if government fails to respond to their concerns.
GHOSPA declared an indefinite strike last week accusing the National Labour Commission (NLC) and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) of failing to address discrepancies in their market premium payment.
The NLC before the strike, sued GHOSPA describing the action as illegal.
[contextly_sidebar id=”xruL2wFRQ9lt0YNJAGkUIW4Op1WOjytL”]However at a press conference in Accra today [Tuesday], the National President of the Association, Agyemang Badu said his members will not to give up on their demands.
“Some of our members are still offering some form of services, that is critical emergency services and when we hit the ten days from today; and we don’t hear anything from government, we will deploy other measures to bring our plight to the attention of the President, the government and the good people of Ghana.”
Mr. Agyemang Badu further added that, GHOSPA was surprised at the actions of the NLC in rushing to court to sue them. He was however quick to add that, though they had not received an official writ summoning them,they are ready to meet the NLC tomorrow.
“We want to assure the NLC that GHOSPA is very ready and determined to march them in any court. We will appear to the extent that the issues are on the stalled conditions of service negotiations. Let us add that the duration of cases before the NLC is a big threat to industrial harmony in Ghana.”
The Association is also worried about the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Haruna Iddrisu’s claim that their interim market premium was not captured in this year’s budget.
According to them, the issue has been put before the Ministry for over three years and wondered why it was not captured.
GHOSPA has maintained its stance that after nearly six years of trying to get their concerns resolved but to no avail, they are determined to see to the end of the matter.
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By: Zoe Abu-Baidoo/citifmonline.com/Ghana