By Hassan Zaggi
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Waba, has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, release the circular on hazard allowance for health workers in the country.
This is even as the Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Health, Dr. Tanko Sununu, has described the agitation for an upward review of the hazard allowance of health workers in the country as ‘germane, hence, should be followed to its conclusion’.
He described the current 5000 hazard allowance being paid to health workers in the country as unacceptable.
They duo made their position known at the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), 2022 International Nurses/Midwives Week and Scientific Session, with the theme: “Nurses, a voice to lead: Invest in nurses and respect rights to secure a global future,” in Abuja, on Monday.
Comrade Waba commended the NANNM for organizing the “elaborate conference despite the daunting challenges that are affecting workers and citizens in the country.
“You are organising this conference in the mist of different challenges, particularly the one in the economy which is biting us very hard.”
While noting that workers are not slaves but people with rights which are being protected by international labour laws, he expressed optimism that at the end of the conference, the nurses and midwives will return to their different states better equip to ensure their rights are not infringed upon.
Waba insisted that the nurses are entitled to hazard allowance that is commensurate to the services they render.
“They are entitled to decent wages. They are entitled to hazard allowances that is commensurate to the service they are rendering and we demand that the circular for the hazard allowance will be released,” Comrade Waba insisted.
On his part, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health, Dr. Sununu, applauded the nurses and midwives for their sacrifice over the years in the country.
He recalled that the present leadership of the House of Representatives, has, over the years, continued to champion the review of the hazard allowance of the health workers in the country.
“I quite believe that nurses and other health workers in the country have done a lot of sacrifice and they are currently making the sacrifice.
“The hazard allowance that we are talking about was made clear by our Speaker that this is not acceptable. N5000 as hazard is not acceptable.
“The House has championed the review of that allowance and we have agreed with the executive to liaise with the union so that we can have acceptable allowance.
“For hazard, it requires bilateral approach- government participation and individual. Government cannot provide you with protective devices, you can use your own personal money to buy it to protect yourself. It is the same hazard allowance you will use to do that.
“So, the argument for the review of hazard allowance is germane and we must see to it conclusion.”
The lawmaker therefore, called on the nurses and midwives to continue to make more sacrifices for the growth of the health sector.
“We call on you to please make more sacrifices. Most of you have the opportunity and the ability to move out of the country to practice in other countries of the world, but you have decided on your own to remain, please couple that decision with ability to improve service delivery.
“I was so happy when I saw through your programme where you are going to discuss on improving nurses-patient relationship.
“This is the most vital aspect that every health worker must be sure health worker-patient relationship is improved.”
Speaking earlier, the President of NANNM, Comrade Michael Nnachi, said that the theme of the conference was to call on the government to recruit more nurses to improve available workforce and to also improve the condition of services of nurses and midwives in Nigeria.
He commended the National Council on Establishment and the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation for giving approval for proper grading of nurses in Nigeria.
He, therefore, said: “It is important to make it clear that up till now we are still expecting the enabling circular so that the implementation kicks-off. It will also help to ease the feelings of the nurses. If the circular is released, it will be a thing of joy.
“There is urgent need to improve the welfare package of nurses and midwives in the country. All the people leaving Nigeria is for greener pasture, recognition and value attached to the nurses and midwives.
“If the government can do that, it will also give us a sigh of relief and we will be happy. The nurses because of the nature of our profession are committed and dedicated to work, we have the compassion and we have the empathy to care for people.”
