The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that represents employees of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has begun an indefinite strike over unresolved staff welfare.

The strike started on Monday, October 7, 2024, and is focused on several demands, such as the review of the results of the 2024 promotion examination, the appointment of key Directors for special duties and public affairs, the reform of the promotion exam’s content, and the creation of a psychology officer cadre following a directive from the Head of Service (HOS).

The payment of outstanding funeral costs, life insurance, repatriation benefits, and salary arrears for workers employed in 2022 are additional concerns.

Workers gave NAFDAC management a 14-day ultimatum in a communique dated September 20, 2024, according to a statement released by TUC Secretary Ejor Michael, monitored by Vanguard. On October 4, after the ultimatum expired, a NAFDAC staff congress was held, and it was decided to begin an indefinite nationwide strike.

“After careful deliberation, Congress unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike across all NAFDAC formations, commencing Monday, 7th October 2024,” the statement read.

The union conveyed its dissatisfaction with NAFDAC management’s inability to attend to the crucial concerns brought forward in the communiqué within the designated timeframe. Consequently, during the strike, the union ordered all employees to stop providing their services and leave the NAFDAC premises.

The statement went on, “This decision is a result of NAFDAC Management’s failure to address the critical issues outlined in the Communique within the given time frame.”

Additionally, SSASCGOC directed state and zonal coordinators to guarantee that the strike order was followed in full, stressing that the strike would continue until all demands were fulfilled.

“Dear Comrades, your assistance is greatly appreciated to guarantee that this indefinite nationwide strike action is effective. The statement concluded, “We will not back down until all issues are adequately resolved.

Read Also: New Minimum Wage: Federal Govt. Begins Payment to Civil Servants