The National Health Workers’ Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) has renewed calls for the government to employ more than 3,800 volunteer health workers, raise salaries for degree-qualified professionals, and increase funding for employee compensation in the proposed 2027 national budget.
In a statement issued this week, the union said thousands of trained health workers, including nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals, continue to serve without permanent employment despite years of dedicated service to the country’s healthcare system.
According to the union, some volunteer health workers have worked for between five and eight years without being placed on the government payroll, a situation it described as both unsustainable and exploitative.
“The continued dependence on volunteer health workers undermines the value of professional healthcare services and places a heavy burden on those who have committed years of service without adequate compensation,” the statement noted.
The union is urging the government to develop and implement a transparent, adequately funded plan to absorb qualified volunteers into the public health workforce. It argued that addressing the employment status of long-serving volunteers is critical to improving healthcare delivery and strengthening Liberia’s health system.
Beyond employment concerns, the union is demanding a significant increase in salaries for Bachelor of Science (BSc)-qualified health professionals, particularly nurses and midwives. It wants the government to set a minimum monthly take-home pay of at least US$500 for degree holders in the sector.
NAHWUL said many healthcare professionals with university degrees currently earn less than US$300 per month, a figure it considers insufficient given their professional qualifications, workload and the rising cost of living in the country.
The union also raised concerns about the proposed allocation to the health sector in the draft 2027 national budget.
According to figures cited in its statement, the sector is expected to receive approximately US$135.8 million, including US$95.6 million earmarked for the Ministry of Health.
Of that amount, about US$47.9 million has reportedly been allocated for employee compensation and salaries, representing an increase of roughly US$3.1 million compared to the previous fiscal year.
While welcoming the increment, the union argued that the proposed allocation falls short of what is required to address persistent workforce shortages, improve staff welfare and absorb thousands of volunteer health workers into formal government employment.
As a result, NAHWUL is calling on both the Executive and the Legislature to increase budgetary support for health sector personnel and provide a clear framework outlining how additional resources will be used to recruit volunteers and adjust salaries.
The union further urged the Liberian Senate to expedite passage of the long-pending National Public Health Law, which it said has remained stalled for more than four years.
According to the union, enactment of the legislation would strengthen public health governance, enhance disease prevention efforts and improve the country’s overall preparedness to respond to health emergencies.
NAHWUL also emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue among government officials, health workers and professional associations to address growing concerns in the sector.
The statement ended on a note of frustration, with the union declaring that health workers are weary of repeated assurances and are demanding concrete action to improve working conditions, employment opportunities and compensation across Liberia’s healthcare system.
