The Nigerian government says it has made an offer to increase hazard allowance for all health workers in government health establishments in the country.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige stated this after a meeting between the Federal Government and representatives of all the professional bodies and unions in the nation’s health sector.
A statement by the Deputy Director/Head, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry Mr Charles Akpan, the meeting, deliberated on the issue of hazard allowance and retirement age for health workers in government health establishments.
Briefing Journalists on their resolutions, Ngige said the Federal Government has moved up from the 5,000 naira monthly hazard allowance paid to all health workers in Nigeria, offering 350 per cent to junior workers and 600 per cent increments for senior workers respectively.
According to the Minister, “The Government side gave them that offer based on the reality that we have on ground, that the economy is not doing very well and the capital component of the budget is actually being funded on borrowing. The earnings of the Government have also drastically gone down.
“So, they are going back to their people with the government offer and they asked for two weeks adjournment to enable them to conclude consultation with their members and report back to us”.
“But we moved from the 5000 naira hazard allowance per month, which was long forgotten until COVID-19 struck.
During COVID-19, the Government spent about 31billion naira for three months. So, I think the Government side has offered things that are very reasonable, increasing the former positions of junior and senior health workers. Junior workers had 350 percent rise and senior workers had about 600 percent,” Ngige said.
The Minister also said that the federal government has agreed in principle to increase the retirement age of doctors and other health workers from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for consultants.
Recall that the Nigerian government last year promised an upward review of the hazard allowance paid to health workers in government establishments.
PIAK
