It’s Time For FG To Make Final Decision On The New Hazard Allowance

Senator Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, announced that the Federal Government will make a final decision on the proposed increased hazard allowance for health workers next week.

On Monday, during a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Salaries with the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association and its affiliates in Ngige’s office, he revealed this.

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The meeting discussed the review of the hazard allowance, the NMA position on the retention of members of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria and Medical and Dental Doctors in Academics on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and the removal of National Youth Service Corps doctors/interns from the scheme of service, and a presentation by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation on the upward review of retirement age for medical/health workers.

In his remarks to the audience, Ngige stated that the government had a strong working relationship with the medical organization, despite the fact that the problem had been ongoing for nine months.

He described the hazard allowance review as part of the government’s attempts to make individuals in the medical and health systems happy and confident in the sector, thereby halting the brain drain.

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With all of the materials at their disposal, he claims, they have decided that the government will issue a position within the next week to put the matter to rest.

“We have gathered all of the raw materials required to complete the work,” he stated. You’ve been quite helpful. You’ve assigned us roles. The Joint Health Sector Unions, which represents other health-care professional unions, have done the same, and we’ve had various associations write us at various times, as allowed by Collective Bargaining Agreements.

“Even CBAs can be amended over time,” says the author. What you did was in accordance with the social dialogue on salary and allowance fixing. On behalf of the government, we assure you that this is the final meeting on this subject. Following this conference, the administration will evaluate the suggestions and make recommendations to Mr. President, who will provide his final approval.”

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“FG to decide on hazard allowance for health workers next week,” said Charles Akpan, a spokesman for the Ministry of Labour and Employment. “Ngige reiterated the government’s earlier position that the current hazard allowance of N5,000 was not meaningful for people working in a hazardous environment, such as health workers.”