By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Health Sector Collective Bargaining Committee, officially launching negotiations with major health sector unions to address remuneration, working conditions, and welfare issues.
On Friday in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate who led the committee said the that movement was aimed at building “a fair and sustainable framework” for the sector’s workforce.
“The convocation of this Committee is a milestone towards building a fair and sustainable framework for our health workforce. Health workers are central to our mission of delivering quality healthcare, and it is our duty to ensure that their needs are addressed with sincerity, transparency, and mutual respect,” Pate stated in a release signed by Alaba Balogun, Head, Information and Public Relations.
The event was attended by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi; Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako; senior officials from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF); Federal Ministry of Finance; Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission; and the Budget Office of the Federation.
Negotiations will involve structured engagements with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), among others.
Minister of Labour & Employment, Dingyadi, described collective bargaining as “a proven pathway to industrial peace and sectoral stability,” stressing that the goal was to ensure the welfare of health workers while safeguarding uninterrupted, quality healthcare for the public.
Health Ministry Honors Retired Workers, Assures Continuous Support Of Welfare’s
Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Salako, called the process “a critical step in our broader health sector reform agenda,” noting that listening to the voices of health professionals would help shape the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The Federal Government urged all parties to approach the talks with good faith, compromise, and a shared commitment to advancing the health and well-being of Nigerians.
About the Author
