Pharmacists kick over exclusion from 40% pay rise for workers, make demands

National Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) has described as discriminatory and unacceptable, the Federal Government’s exclusion of members from the recent 40 per cent pay increase for civil servants.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had confirmed pay rise for federal workers effective January 1 this year. The increment, referred to as a peculiar allowance for civil servants, was necessitated by prevailing economic realities to assist workers in cushioning harsh effects of inflation, rising cost of living, transportation, housing and electricity tariff.
   
However, the body of pharmacists said across the federation, they are yet to experience any increase in pay since 2010 despite several agitations over the years, even when collective bargains were reached.
   
In a statement yesterday, AHAPN National Chairman, Olabode Ogunjemiyo, made a seven-point demand to government, to include pharmacists without further delay in the 40 per cent pay rise and ensure settlement of arrears with immediate effect, as well as seeing to immediate implementation of the Pharmacists Consultancy Cadre for consultants, payment of relativity arrears since 2014, adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) to meet with current realities, implementation of Pharm. D entry point for Doctor of Pharmacy holders, implementation of the increased call duty allowance from two to four per cent for Pharm. D holders and recommencement of payment of Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) allowance to pharmacists and other operators of the scheme.
   
According to Ogunjemiyo, all civil servants face same economic realities. He noted: “We go to the same market, buy the same PMS (petrol) and diesel, pay same school fees for our children. It is, therefore, discriminatory to exclude pharmacists from the 40 per cent pay rise.
 
“The pharmacists in the country are saddened by the development, especially now that there is mass exodus of members to other nations for greener pastures, and this development is not unconnected with the non-implementation of some of our demands.”