The Malta Chamber of Pharmacists told The Malta Independent yesterday that it supported legitimate requests by pharmacists working in government services to request improvements to their working conditions.

Since last week, some 23 industrial actions had been put in place at state pharmacies after the workers, represented by UHM- Voice of the Workers, declared an industrial dispute over a lack of progress in talks on a new sectoral agreement.

State pharmacies were opening one hour late and closing an hour early, workers were not responding to phone calls and Schedule V cards (karta s-safra) were not being processed.

A union representative said the union’s proposals were not just about financial requests but also education, specialisation and lifelong education for pharmacists.

The Chamber of Pharmacists, in comments to this newspaper, urged all concerned parties to return to the negotiating table.

“The Malta Chamber of Pharmacists supports pharmacists in government service in their legitimate request to improve their working conditions together with their career progression and CPD aspirations.

The Chamber calls on the parties to return to the negotiating table without further delay to resolve the impasse, benefitting the patients and services which are undeniably affected by this impasse.

It is a moot point that meanwhile an emergency service should be implemented as all points of service are sensitive to the effects of the strike.

The chamber augurs that Government and Pharmacists reach convergence for the good of the profession and patients they serve.

Given the delicate subject under discussion I would appreciate if the above is not edited without prior notification.”