Staff of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the agency’s management. The strike action comes after a failed meeting on Friday, October 4, 2024, aimed at addressing a series of unresolved issues.
Key among the workers’ demands is a review and re-evaluation of the 2024 promotion examination results, which currently show a pass rate of only 35 percent. The union is pushing for a minimum benchmark of 80 percent for this year’s and future promotion exams, arguing that the current standards are too low and unfair to employees.
In addition to the promotion exam issue, the union is calling for the immediate settlement of salary arrears for staff hired in 2022. These arrears have reportedly remained unpaid, further fueling frustration among NAFDAC workers.
The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), which represents the striking workers, issued a statement signed by its Secretary, Ejor Michael. In the statement, the union accused NAFDAC’s management of neglecting their grievances, describing the inaction as “insufferable.”
As a result of the strike, workers have been instructed to withdraw all services and vacate their offices. They were also told to remove personal belongings as the industrial action commences.
The union has made it clear that the strike will continue until all demands listed in their communiqué are fully met. The ongoing strike is expected to have a significant impact on NAFDAC’s operations, which include regulating the importation, distribution, and sale of food and drugs across Nigeria.
As the strike enters its first day, there is growing concern about the potential disruption to vital regulatory activities, including drug safety approvals and inspections, which could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s healthcare system.
