Pharmacies all over the Netherlands will be closed again on Thursday and Friday as pharmacy assistants strike in support of their pay claim.

Some 2,000 pharmacies are affected by the strike, although some will remain open to supply emergency prescriptions.

Pharmacy assistants, who went on national strike in November for the first time ever, are campaigning for a 6% rise and a minimum of €16 per hour. Assistants also want their pay to include the work they do before opening up shop.

The strike is supported by pharmacists themselves. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our people and we think they should earn more,” Karin Beuning, from the independent pharmacy association WZOA said.

Employers have offered 2% from July and a further 5% from July next year. They argue that the government and health insurers are preventing them from paying more.

Surveys among pharmacy assistants have shown that aggression is one of the main reasons people leave. In addition working at a hospital can pay €600 to €800 more a month.