NAFDAC Workers Embark On Indefinite Strike Over Welfare Issues, Others

NAFDAC Workers have embarked on indefinite strike over welfare issues.

Newsone Nigeria reports that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) branch of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria has commenced an indefinite strike action, citing the failure of NAFDAC management to address pressing staff welfare issues.

The strike according to a statement issued on Monday by Com. Adetoboye Ayodeji Raphael on behalf of MHWUN, follows several unresolved issues, including unpaid claims and allowances such as transfer allowances, visa fees, and estacode allowance, leading to significant hardship for union members.

According to the statement sent to Newsone Nigeria, the strike by the NAFDAC workers came on the heels of promotion disparities and stagnant job-specific allowance, with allegations of unfair promotion practices and unreviewed job-specific allowance for over a decade despite inflation and rising living costs.

The statement reads thus; “The NAFDAC branch of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria has commenced an indefinite strike action, citing the failure of NAFDAC management to address pressing staff welfare issues.

“The strike is primarily motivated by NAFDAC management’s failure to address pertinent issues including: Unpaid Claims and Allowances
– Unpaid Transfer Allowances: Members have been left stranded while on official assignments, awaiting reimbursement.
– Unpaid Visa Fees: Staff members have borne the financial burden of official international travel.
– Unpaid Estacode Allowance: Personnel have not received compensation for foreign missions.

“These unresolved issues have caused significant hardship for union members.

“Promotion Disparities and Stagnant Job-Specific Allowance
– Unfair Promotion Practices: Deserving staff, instrumental in achieving WHO-ML3 status, and numerous laboratory accreditations – a national pride – remain unrewarded, with management citing “unavailability of vacancies”. Staff members who have consistently worked round the clock without compensation for overtime, having exceeded the minimum promotion requirements were denied promotion. We cannot accept “unavailability of vacancies” as excuse for not being promoted when it is not a management cadre. We are calling on the management to immediately address this ugly situation because of the impending future dangers.
– Unreviewed Job-Specific Allowance: Which should be reviewed every five years has not been reviewed for over a decade, despite inflation and rising living costs,” the statement read.

Newsone reports that the striking NAFDAC workers demand a prompt resolution of these issues to ensure fair treatment and compensation for its members.

“We urge NAFDAC management to engage in constructive dialogue to address our grievances and find a swift resolution to this strike. The welfare and motivation of our members are paramount to maintaining the high standards of service delivery expected of NAFDAC”, the statement added.