-Over Provocative Salary Top-Ups
The Assembly of Liberian Health Professionals has condemned the government of Liberia, specifically the Ministry of Finance, for its proposed USD$50 salary top-up for health workers, labeling it as provocative and a blatant violation of the Health Sector Pay Grade and Salary Reclassification Policy. The group has announced plans for a nationwide strike action set to begin on December 10, 2024, if their demands are not met.
The Assembly comprises various health organizations, including the Pharmaceutical Association of Liberia, Liberia Nurse Association, Liberia National Physician Assistant Association, Liberia Midwives Association, Liberia Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Liberian Society of Medical Imaging Technologies, Liberia Association of Operating Room Technicians, Liberia Association of Environmental Professionals, Liberia Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists, and Liberia Medical and Dental Association.
Following the submission of the Draft 2025 National Budget to the Legislature, Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister, Augustine K. Ngafuan, announced that nurses, midwives, and physician assistants would receive a USD$50 monthly top-up, while other health workers would receive between USD$25 and USD$40, depending on their level.
In response to the government’s announcement, Theophilus Tamba Fayiah, chairperson of the Assembly and President of the Liberia National Physician Assistant Association, expressed disappointment at the government’s disregard for the established Health Sector Pay Grade and Salary Reclassification Policy. He stated, “It’s very sad that the government of Liberia will ignore the Health Sector Pay Grade and Salary Reclassification Policy and institute another policy to top up the salary of health workers.”
Fayiah revealed that the reclassification policy was initially scheduled to take effect with the 2024 National Budget. However, due to delays in its implementation, the Assembly urged the government to incorporate it into the 2025 National Budget to ensure timely execution.
“In the absence of the Reclassification Policy, we see the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance’s USD$50 top-up as a provocation. This is a provocation to address equity and salary disparities in the health sector. People are already saying that we are doing the same work but not earning the same money, then the government does this. The government signed onto this document and so, ignoring it and bringing a flat-rate is evil,” he stated.
He further emphasized that the Assembly had collaborated with a consultant provided by the government to validate the policy, which aimed to address salary disparities among healthcare workers of various professional categories.
Fayiah added that they had requested the government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the various institutions for the implementation of the policy that had been launched and adopted.
“If no concrete action is taken within the timeline, we, the health workers, will commence a nationwide strike. This collective action will involve the cessation of all services until the government demonstrates a commitment to addressing our demands. We strongly urge you to take this matter seriously and engage with us to avert a disruption of healthcare services across the nation. We remain committed to advancing the health sector and the welfare of healthcare workers, and we hope that the government shares this commitment,” he concluded.
