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 declared an indefinite strike.
This action comes in response to lingering issues related to staff promotion and welfare, which the union claims have been left unresolved despite multiple discussions with NAFDAC’s management. Channels TV reported the development on Monday.
According to the aggrieved workers, numerous meetings held to address their concerns yielded no positive results, forcing them to take drastic action. Dr. Ejor Michael, the TUC Secretary, confirmed the decision to strike, stating, “This decision is a result of NAFDAC Management’s failure to address the critical issues outlined in the communiqué within the given time frame.”
The union, through a communiqué (SSASCGOC/NAFDAC/COMMUNIQUE/VOL.1) issued on October 4, 2024, detailed several unresolved grievances.
These include the controversial 2024 Promotion Examination Results, the appointment of Directors for Public Affairs and Special Duties, and the placement of employees in the Training Institute for staff from the North West and North East regions.
The communiqué also pointed to issues such as reforming the Promotion Examination Content and the delayed disclosure of APER/PER/KPI scores, both of which are integral to the promotion process.
Other key demands include the resolution of tied promotion examination scores, clarity around qualification and conversion criteria for promotion exams, and the creation of a Psychology Officer Cadre, as stipulated in a circular from the Head of Service.
Additionally, the workers are demanding the centralization of the Danida Fellowship training program under the Personnel and Research Services (PRS), along with the prompt settlement of overdue burial expenses, life insurance, and repatriation allowances.
The payment of salary arrears dating back to 2022 is also on their list of demands.
In the communiqué, the Congress emphasized that after extensive deliberation, it had “unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike across all NAFDAC formations, commencing Monday, 7th October 2024.”
The communiqué further instructed all NAFDAC employees to comply with the strike action, stating that all workers should cease their services immediately.
The statement also warned employees to take precautionary measures regarding their personal belongings, as access to NAFDAC offices would be strictly prohibited during 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,” it cautioned.
The communiqué made it clear that the union considers the continued lack of action from NAFDAC management to be intolerable and vowed that the industrial action would persist until every demand listed in the communiqué is met.
“The Congress considers this ongoing inaction insufferable and accentuates that the industrial action will continue unabated until all demands specified in the communiqué are fully met,” it concluded.
SSASCGOC State and Zonal Coordinators have been given the responsibility of ensuring full compliance with the strike across the country.
The union urged its members to cooperate and execute the strike in an organized manner.
At the time of reporting, PUNCH was unable to confirm the level of compliance with the strike directive across various NAFDAC formations nationwide.
