The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has stated that he may struggle to pay his electricity bills and other expenses if he retires under the current working conditions.
Dr. Dennis Adu Gyasi noted that the conditions under which biomedical professionals are working are not encouraging.
He said this during an interview with Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM today, Thursday, June 20, 2024.
The professional, who is currently one more position away from his retirement, said that, as someone with several years of experience and position, his salary after the necessary deductions are made is not more than GHC 7,000.
He stated that numerous biomedical professionals intend to leave the country in search of better opportunities.
The starting salary for entry-level professionals he disclosed is below GHc2,000 after all the necessary deductions are made.
“We have over 5,000 members or medical laboratory professionals nationwide. The starting salary for our members is below GHc2,000 after all deductions have been made. As a Deputy Chief with the last ranking for me to go on pension, my salary is below GHc 7,000 after all the deductions have been made. This is a serious issue. It is an unfortunate matter, and if you decide to talk about it, it will generate painful memories,” he said.
He lamented that if the situation does not change, he may retire and face serious financial struggles.
It was for this reason that they have declared a strike action to pressure the government to address their concerns, which they have been pushing over the last two years.
“I can provide you with my pay slip for you to verify. That is how the pay structure was implemented and reflected in the single spine salary structure. You can find out more about our salary structure. This is public information, so I am not spreading lies. If you don’t take care, I might not be able to pay my bills while on pension.”
The biomedical professionals announced a nationwide strike, effective June 17, 2024, over the lack of conditions of service for their members.
The strike follows unsuccessful negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on May 31, 2024, which the union deemed “disappointing.”
Dr. Gyasi added that they have been negotiating for nearly two years, but the delays have spurred the strike action to put pressure on the government to finalise the agreements on working conditions.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
