The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), representing employees of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has launched an indefinite strike over unresolved promotion disputes and welfare concerns.
The strike, which commenced on Monday, was announced after repeated meetings with NAFDAC management failed to address the workers’ grievances. According to a report by ChannelsTV, the aggrieved employees stated that NAFDAC’s leadership had not taken adequate steps to resolve their pressing concerns, prompting the industrial action.
“This decision is a result of NAFDAC Management’s failure to address the critical issues outlined in the communiqué within the given time frame,” said Dr. Ejor Michael, Secretary of the TUC, in a statement.
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In a communiqué, SSASCGOC/NAFDAC/COMMUNIQUE/VOL.1, issued on October 4, 2024, the workers listed several unresolved issues, including:
– Review of the 2024 Promotion Examination Results
– Appointment of Directors for Public Affairs and Special Duties
– Placement in the Training Institute for North West and North East regions
– Reform of Promotion Examination Content
– Timely Disclosure of APER/PER/KPI Scores
– Resolution of Tied Promotion Examination Scores
– Qualification and Conversion Criteria for Promotion Examinations
– Creation of a Psychology Officer Cadre as per the HOS Circular
– Relocation of the Danida Fellowship and centralization of training
– Payment of all pending burial expenses, life insurance, and repatriation allowances
– Salary arrears for employees from 2022, among other demands.
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The communiqué noted that after thorough discussions, “the Congress unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike across all NAFDAC formations, commencing Monday, 7th October 2024.”
All staff were directed to withdraw their services, remove personal belongings from their offices, and avoid entering any NAFDAC premises during the strike period.
SSASCGOC emphasized that the industrial action would continue unabated until all the demands specified in the communiqué are fully met.
“NAFDAC workers are urged to cooperate fully as the Congress considers this ongoing inaction by management insufferable,” the statement added.
Efforts to ascertain the compliance level of the strike were still underway at the time of reporting. The strike is expected to significantly disrupt NAFDAC’s operations nationwide, affecting regulatory activities related to food and drug safety.