Pharmacists want independent mediator to resolve labour issues

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has appealed to government to call for a truce on all labour agitations in the country and establish an independent mediator to promptly hear and resolve all outstanding issues.

A statement issued in Accra on Wednesday by Mr James Ohemeng Kyei, President of PSGH, said the Society has reviewed all available facts has noted a systematic plan to undervalue Pharmacists in the society and leave them worse off in their migration unto the Single Spine Salary Structure.

It said the conduct, language and posture of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) was a deliberate ploy to compromise the value of pharmacists contrary to the historical relativities in the health sector and the outcome of recent scientific job evaluation exercise.

The statement said this uncompromising posture of FWSC over the last two years, coupled with their disregard for rulings, directives, orders and decision of the National Labour Commission have led to most of the present labour agitations and unrest in the country.

The group also called for the immediate replacement of the top hierarchy of the FWSC with persons with more candor, tact, objectivity and respect for all categories of labour.

It said the FWSC should publish the SSSS implementation plan for the various categories of Ghanaian work force to minimize some of these agitations.

“Adequately resource and empower the National Labour Commission with full time Commissioners and all and all relevant personnel, equipment and conditions to enable them execute their mandate expeditiously,” it added.

The statement called on the remaining categories of pharmacists, especially those in the community practice to extend their service hours to mitigate the effects of the present strike action by their Government and Hospital Colleagues.

They also commended the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service for their untiring efforts at resolving the impasse over the last two years.