THE National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institution (NANNM-FHI) sector has bemoaned over the exclusion of its members in the recent 40 per cent pay rise for federal workers.
In a statement issued by Mr Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, National Chairman, NANNM-FHI sector, the association described the exclusion as an aberration and an attempt to cause problems in the system.
Nurses and other health workers have been calling for salary adjustment since 2010, with several committees set up to this effect.
The NANNM-FHI sector hence urged the Federal Government to address this issue and include its members in the pay rise.
However, Rilwan insisted that the committees set up to investigate the pay rise issue were yet to release their report.
He said:
“Instead of motivating those health workers, who have agreed to stay in the country to salvage the health system by this pay rise, the best thing government could do was to exclude nurses.
“The last time Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) was adjusted was in 2010 and most of the allowances due to nurses were being short paid, for instance 30 per cent shift allowance with less than 10 per cent being paid to nurses.
“Many things are causing agitation, including Nurses Special Salary Structure.
“However, we are just getting the news this weekend and we are studying the situation while consultation with relevant stakeholders is ongoing, especially our parent body.
“But the fact is that our members are not happy with the exclusion and we cannot continue keeping quiet.
“Nurses have suffered enough neglect and deprivation as front line workers in health sector.”
Meanwhile, the national chairman also confirmed that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige had earlier stated that the pay rise was necessary to reflect the current economic situation in the country.
Rilwan quoted Ngige as saying that, “the pay rise for Federal Government workers was to cushion the effects of inflation, rising cost of living, hike in transportation fare, housing and electricity tariff.”
