Union describes prolonged volunteer service as exploitation, urges government to increase health-sector funding in proposed 2027 national budget
MONROVIA – The National Health Workers’ Union of Liberia has called on the government to employ more than 3,800 long-serving volunteer health workers, increase salaries for degree-qualified professionals and allocate additional funding to employee compensation in the proposed 2027 national budget.
By: Gegee Brima – alhajigegeebrima@gmail.com
In a press statement, the union disclosed that thousands of health professionals and other personnel were still awaiting formal employment, with some volunteer nurses, midwives and other health workers having served for between five and eight years without regular compensation or permanent employment.
The union described the prolonged reliance on volunteer health workers as exploitation, calling on the government to develop a transparent and adequately funded plan to absorb qualified volunteers into the public health workforce.
It also called for an increase in the monthly take-home salaries of Bachelor of Science-qualified health professionals, particularly nurses and midwives, to at least US$500.
According to the union, some nurses holding bachelor’s degrees currently take home less than US$300 monthly, an amount it considers inadequate given their professional training, responsibilities and the increasing cost of living.
The union also expressed concern over the proposed 2027 national budget, particularly the level of funding allocated to the health sector.
Citing budget figures it said were under review, the union reported that the health sector had received a proposed allocation of US$135.8 million, including US$95.6 million for the Ministry of Health.
Of the Ministry’s proposed allocation, US$47.9 million was earmarked for employee compensation and salaries, representing an increase of approximately US$3.1 million compared to the previous budget.
However, while acknowledging the proposed increase, the union argued that the allocation remained insufficient to address the country’s health workforce shortages and the welfare concerns of health professionals.
It is therefore urging the Executive and Legislature to increase funding for employee compensation and clearly outline how additional resources will support the recruitment of volunteer health workers and salary adjustments for qualified professionals.
Beyond employment and salary concerns, the union has called on the Liberian Senate to pass the National Public Health Law, which it says has remained pending for more than four years.
The union described the proposed legislation as critical to strengthening public health protection, disease prevention and governance within Liberia’s health sector.
It further emphasized the need for meaningful dialogue among the government, the union and relevant professional associations to address the growing concerns of health workers.
The statement concluded with a strong expression of frustration over what the union described as repeated government promises, stating: “We are tired of promises; we demand…”
However, the final section of the statement provided to the media ends at that point without completing the union’s message.
