In the heart of a nation where food safety and drug regulation are paramount, a crisis brews within the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress representing employees of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, has initiated an indefinite strike due to unresolved promotion controversies and welfare concerns.
Why NAFDAC Went On Strike
The decision to begin the strike follows multiple meetings with NAFDAC management that yielded no positive outcomes regarding critical issues affecting staff, reports ChannelsTV on Monday.
The aggrieved workers say their grievances have not been addressed and that prompted the drastic action.
Dr. Ejor Michael, Secretary of the TUC, stated that NAFDAC Management’s failure to address the critical issues outlined in the communiqué within the given time frame led to this decision.
According to the communiqué SSASCGOC/NAFDAC/COMMUNIQUE/VOL.1, issued on October 4, 2024, the workers outlined several key issues that remain unresolved. These include:
1. Review of the 2024 Promotion Examination Results
2. Appointment of Directors for Public Affairs and Special Duties
3. Training Institute placements for North West and North East extractions
4. Reform of Promotion Examination Content
5. Timely Disclosure of APER/PER/KPI Scores
6. Resolution of Tied Promotion Examination Scores
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7. Qualification and Conversion Criteria for Promotion Examinations
8. Creation of a Psychology Officer Cadre in accordance with the HOS Circular
9. Relocation of the Danida Fellowship and centralisation of training to the Personnel and Research Services (PRS)
10. Payment of all pending burial expenses, life insurance, and repatriation allowances
11. Salary arrears for employees from 2022, among other demands.
The communiqué emphasised that the Congress, after thorough discussions, “unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike across all NAFDAC formations, commencing Monday, October 7, 2024.”
No Entry
Furthermore, it directed all workers to withdraw their services in compliance with the strike.
“In view of the foregoing, all staff are advised to remove their personal belongings from their offices, as no one, regardless of rank or cadre, will be allowed entry into any NAFDAC office during the strike period,” the statement cautioned.
SSASCGOC State and Zonal Coordinators had been tasked with ensuring strict adherence to this directive, as the union calls on its members for cooperation in executing the indefinite strike effectively.
