NAFDAC Workers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Welfare, Promotion Grievances

The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has commenced an indefinite strike over several unresolved staff welfare concerns.

Their key grievances include the review of 2024 promotion exam results, the appointment of directors for public affairs/special duties and a training institute, and reforms to promotion examination content.

Additional demands involve the creation of a psychology officer cadre, payment of pending burial expenses, life insurance, repatriation allowance, and the settlement of 2022 salary arrears.

The secretary of TUC, Ejor Michael, in a statement on Monday, said the decision to embark on strike followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on September 20, 2024, after the agency’s management failed to address their grievances.

Despite a congress held on October 4, where further deliberations occurred, no resolution was reached, prompting the nationwide strike starting October 7, 2024, the statement added.

The union has instructed all staff to halt services, remove personal belongings, and ensure no one enters NAFDAC offices during the strike action. They emphasised that the strike would persist until all demands were met.

“After careful deliberation, Congress unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike across all NAFDAC formations, commencing Monday, 7th October 2024,” the statement read.

“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby directed to down tools by withdrawing all your services in compliance with the strike action.

“This decision is a result of NAFDAC Management’s failure to address the critical issues outlined in the Communique within the given time frame.

“The Congress considers this ongoing inaction insufferable and accentuates that the industrial action will continue unabated until all demands specified in the Communique are fully met.

“In light of this, all staff are advised to remove their personal belongings from their offices, as no one, no matter the rank or cadre, will be allowed entry into any NAFDAC Office (premises) during the strike period.

“SSASCGOC State and Zonal Coordinators are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with this directive.

“Dear Comrades, your cooperation is greatly treasured to ensure the effectiveness of this indefinite nationwide strike action. We will not relent until all issues are satisfactorily addressed.”