The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), representing employees of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has declared an indefinite strike over unresolved issues surrounding promotions and staff welfare.
This strike follows a series of unproductive meetings with NAFDAC’s management. Workers have grown increasingly frustrated, leading to this decisive action.
Dr. Ejor Michael, Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), stated, “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 communiqué, referenced as SSASCGOC/NAFDAC/COMMUNIQUE/VOL.1 and issued on October 4, 2024, detailed the workers’ grievances, which include:
– A review of the 2024 Promotion Examination Results
– Appointment of Directors for Public Affairs and Special Duties
– Placement of workers in training institutes for the North West and North East regions
– Reforms in the Promotion Examination Content
– Timely disclosure of performance scores (APER/PER/KPI)
– Resolution of tied promotion exam scores
– Establishing criteria for promotion exams, including qualification and conversion standards
– Creation of a Psychology Officer Cadre in line with the HOS Circular
– Relocation of the Danida Fellowship and centralization of training under Personnel and Research Services (PRS)
– Payment of outstanding burial expenses, life insurance, and repatriation allowances
– Settlement of salary arrears from 2022
The communiqué indicated that the Congress, after thorough discussion, had “unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike across all NAFDAC formations, commencing Monday, 7th October 2024.”
It further instructed employees to cease all services in compliance with the strike. Staff members were also advised to remove their belongings from offices, as no access will be granted to any NAFDAC facilities during the strike.
“This ongoing inaction is insufferable,” the communiqué emphasized, adding that the strike would continue until all demands are fully addressed. SSASCGOC’s State and Zonal Coordinators were directed to ensure full compliance with the industrial action, and the union called for collective support from its members to see the strike-through effectively.
This marks a significant escalation in the workers’ struggle for improved conditions, and it is unclear when a resolution will be reached.
