Workers at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have issued a 72-hour strike notice to the federal government over what they described as anti-workers activities.
The workers, under the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), announced their intention to commence an indefinite strike on October 7, 2024, if their demands are not met.
READ ALSO: NAFDAC warns of rising drug abuse in schools
Comrade Salih Ahmed Aledeh, the General Secretary of the union’s in-house branch, revealed that the decision to strike follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued earlier to NAFDAC’s management. The union had requested that pressing issues affecting staff welfare be addressed, but the management failed to act within the given timeframe.
“In a significant development affecting Nigeria’s public health sector, workers at NAFDAC will commence an indefinite strike starting October 7, 2024. The strike action follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to NAFDAC management, which failed to address concerns raised by the agency’s branch of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria,” Aledeh said in a statement.
The strike, set to begin at 00:01 hours on October 7, 2024, was triggered by NAFDAC management’s failure to respond to the workers’ demands, which were outlined during a congress meeting on September 20, 2024. The union has instructed all NAFDAC staff nationwide to join the strike.
Aledeh emphasized the importance of collective action, saying, “Do remember that the success of this action is dependent on our collective determination and resolve.”
The union leadership has also directed zonal coordinators and state representatives to mobilize their members and ensure full compliance with the strike notice. Continuous updates on the progress of the strike action are expected from each zone.
This strike is anticipated to disrupt NAFDAC’s operations across the country, which could affect the regulation of food and drugs in Nigeria. The duration of the strike remains unclear, pending a resolution to the workers’ demands.
