NAFDAC staff begin indefinite strike

Medical and health workers union chapter of the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday embarked on an indefinite strike, demanding improved welfare.

The union accused the management of failing to implement an agreed welfare package entered in 2013.

It also demanded the immediate retirement of Yetunde Oni, the agency’s acting director-general.

They asked Oni to hand over to the immediate senior officer before the appointment of a substantive director-general.

While addressing members of the union, Idu Isua, the vice chairman, said the minister of health and NAFDAC management agreed to review members pay upward after they embarked on strike to press home their demand in 2013.

“We resolved that funds be drawn from our Internally Generated Revenue to finance the upward reviewed package of staff but to our greatest surprise, nothing was done since then,” he said.

“When we came on board in 2013, we took a look at the allowances of staff and discovered it was low compared with other agencies that we enjoy same salary scale with.”

Isua said the union complained to ministry and took it up with management “but up till today, nothing has been done”.

“The strike is not a fresh one because we took same action two years ago and last year and based on agreement reached, the strike was suspended,” he said.

“However, nothing was done on our salary review up till now.”

Isua also said that Oni, who had been acting as director-general of the agency was due for retirement, having attained 60 years of age.

“She was 60 years, yesterday (September 21, 2017); she must go; these are our grievances.”

Meanwhile, when NAN contacted the management, a director, who refused to give his name, said the union was at liberty to express its grievances.

The director said he believed that the federal government would address the issues raised by the union.