The Health Workers’ Union accuses the Boakai administration of neglecting healthcare professionals, questions the proposed US$135.8 million health sector allocation and warns of unspecified action if government fails to address its demands by January 2027.
MONROVIA — The Health Workers’ Union of Liberia has demanded a minimum monthly take-home salary of US$500 for degree-holding nurses and midwives, the immediate employment of more than 3,800 volunteer health workers and the passage of the long-delayed National Public Health Law.
The Union also warned that it could take unspecified action if the government fails to address its demands, escalating pressure on the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai over the welfare and working conditions of healthcare professionals.
Speaking at a news conference in Monrovia on Tuesday, November 10, the organization accused the Government of Liberia of neglecting and marginalizing nurses, midwives, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals who continue to sustain the country’s health delivery system under difficult conditions.
Reading the Union’s statement, Meshach Karmo Jr. said thousands of qualified health professionals have remained in voluntary service for years without formal employment or regular compensation, while others receive salaries that do not reflect their academic qualifications, professional responsibilities and workloads.
“Let us state this clearly: Liberia cannot build a strong, resilient, and functional healthcare system while continuously neglecting, underpaying, and exploiting the very people responsible for delivering healthcare to its citizens,” the Union declared.
Karmo, who also serves as National Vice President for Administration of the Liberian Nurses Association, said healthcare workers routinely sacrifice their time, sleep, family life and personal safety to keep hospitals and clinics operational, attend to emergencies, deliver babies and save lives.
He lamented that despite these contributions, their welfare, dignity and professional advancement continue to receive inadequate attention from the government.
3,800 Volunteer Health Workers Await Employment
One of the Union’s major concerns is the prolonged unemployment of qualified healthcare professionals who have served in hospitals and clinics without formal employment.
The organization disclosed that some nurses, midwives, physician assistants and other trained health workers have spent five, six, seven and even eight years providing services without regular salaries or formal government employment.
It estimated that more than 3,800 volunteer health professionals and other personnel are currently awaiting employment.
The Union described the situation as exploitation disguised as professional experience, arguing that the government should not continue benefiting from the services of trained professionals while denying them formal employment and the opportunity to earn a living.
“Eight years of voluntary service is not a short waiting period. It is eight years of lost income, delayed professional advancement, family responsibilities left unattended, and dreams continuously postponed,” the organization said.
It called on the government to develop and implement a transparent, adequately funded and time-bound employment strategy to absorb qualified volunteer health workers into the public health system.
The Union also questioned the continued reliance on volunteers at a time when several health facilities across the country reportedly face shortages of trained personnel.
Demands US$500 Minimum Salary for Degree-Holding Nurses
Beyond employment, the Union expressed frustration over what it described as inadequate salaries for professional healthcare workers.
It said a nurse holding a Bachelor of Science degree could take home less than US$300 monthly despite years of training and significant responsibilities.
The organization argued that such compensation is insufficient to meet basic living expenses, support families and maintain the professional standards expected of healthcare workers, particularly amid rising living costs.
Consequently, it is demanding that the monthly take-home salaries of Bachelor of Science-qualified health professionals, particularly nurses and midwives, be increased to at least US$500.
“We are not demanding luxury. We are demanding fairness. We are not asking for privileges. We are demanding compensation that reflects our education, professional responsibilities, sacrifices, and contribution to national development,” Karmo emphasized.
He maintained that the proposed minimum salary was reasonable and long overdue, considering the responsibilities healthcare professionals carry in protecting the lives of Liberians.
Questions US$135.8 Million Health Sector Allocation
The Union also questioned whether the proposed 2027 National Draft Budget provides sufficient resources to address the employment and compensation challenges confronting the health sector.
According to figures cited by the organization, the proposed budget allocates US$135,827,541 to the entire health sector, with US$95,601,068 earmarked for the Ministry of Health.
Of the Ministry’s proposed allocation, US$47,923,812 is designated for employee compensation and salaries, compared with US$44,782,715 in the previous budget.
The proposed increase amounts to US$3,141,097.
Although acknowledging the increase, the Union described it as inadequate given the number of qualified health professionals awaiting employment and the need to improve salaries and working conditions.
It questioned how the additional allocation would accommodate more than 3,800 volunteer health professionals and other personnel awaiting absorption into the public workforce.
The organization is therefore calling on the Executive and Legislature to increase the employee compensation allocation in the 2027 budget and establish clearly defined budget lines and implementation plans to address employment and salary concerns.
It argued that increased allocations would have little impact if they did not translate into actual employment, improved compensation and better working conditions for healthcare professionals.
Accuses Senate of Delaying Public Health Law
The Union also criticized the Liberian Senate for what it described as an unacceptable delay in passing the proposed National Public Health Law, which it said has remained pending before the chamber for more than four years.
The organization argued that the legislation is essential to strengthening Liberia’s legal and institutional framework for public health protection, disease prevention, health security and the overall governance of the health sector.
It urged senators to demonstrate the necessary political will and legislative responsibility to conclude the process without further delay.
“The health of a nation must never become a casualty of legislative procrastination,” the Union declared.
Union Outlines Five Major Demands
In its statement, the organization presented five major demands to the government:
1. Immediate employment of volunteers: Develop and implement a transparent, adequately funded and time-bound plan to absorb qualified volunteer nurses, midwives, physician assistants and other health professionals into the public workforce.
2. Improved salaries: Increase monthly take-home salaries for Bachelor of Science-qualified health professionals, particularly nurses and midwives, to a minimum of US$500.
3. Increased budgetary allocation: Raise the employee compensation and salary allocation in the 2027 National Budget, with clear provisions for employment and improved remuneration.
4. Passage of the National Public Health Law: Prioritize and pass the legislation, which the Union says has remained before the Senate for more than four years.
5. Meaningful engagement: Establish genuine dialogue with the Health Workers’ Union and relevant professional associations to address the longstanding concerns of healthcare professionals.
Members Losing Patience, Union Rejects Claims of Compromised Struggle
The organization acknowledged growing frustration among its members, revealing that some healthcare workers are increasingly questioning the leadership, direction and effectiveness of its advocacy.
Some members, according to the Union, have also raised concerns about whether their struggle for improved welfare and professional recognition has been compromised.
However, the leadership insisted that it has neither abandoned nor compromised the campaign.
“We understand the frustration of our members because the leadership shares the same working conditions and financial difficulties confronting the broader health workforce,” the statement said.
The Union warned that it could no longer continue issuing statements, attending meetings and receiving government promises while the living conditions of its members deteriorate and thousands of qualified professionals remain unemployed.
“Our patience must not be mistaken for weakness. Our professionalism must not be mistaken for silence. And our commitment to serving humanity must never be exploited as an excuse to deny us our rights,” it declared.
The organization maintained that a functional healthcare system requires more than hospitals, ambulances, medical equipment and government policies. It must also prioritize the welfare of the people responsible for delivering essential medical services.
The Union’s concerns were reinforced by Theophilus T. Fayiah, President of the Liberia National Physician Assistant Association, who warned that healthcare professionals could resort to unspecified action if the government fails to make tangible progress by early January 2027.
Fayiah cautioned that the action could have serious consequences for the population and the country’s healthcare delivery system.
The Union called on President Boakai, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and the Legislature to address its demands with urgency.
It stressed that its concerns extend beyond financial compensation to include professional dignity, fairness, job security and the government’s responsibility to those sustaining the national healthcare system.
The organization concluded that Liberia cannot achieve the quality of healthcare its citizens deserve while continuing to overlook the welfare of the professionals responsible for providing those services.
It insisted that the time for promises has passed and that concrete government action is now required.
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