NAFDAC Workers Embark On Strike Over Non-payment Of Allowances
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) medical and health workers union went on strike on Wednesday.
Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, which represents the striking employees, declared that they would not end the strike unless their welfare benefits were paid.
TheCable learned that there is disagreement among the union regarding the use of strike action. One source claims that the union’s Lagos and southern regions were the only ones to go on strike.
The Abuja and northern axes of the union disagreed with the strike as a means of obtaining their goals because they thought it was premature, according to the source, even if the entire union agreed on the issue of the benefit package.
“According to the director of administration, the workers declared a strike action but the union is divided,” the source said.
“The Lagos/southern people are the ones currently on strike. Abuja and the northern axis are not on strike. They are not all gathered in one place. The chairman is in Lagos and the vice-chairman is in Abuja.
“The Abuja axis believes that the strike is premature and that they will not join. As I speak with you, the staff in Abuja and other northern states are in their offices. They want to give the management some time.
“The management is trying to hold a meeting with them; so until after that meeting, they will now decide. If management does not give in to their request, then they can join the Lagos workers to embark on the strike.
“The issue is bordering on staff welfare. The Lagos and Abuja chapters are unanimous on the issue but the method of achieving it is what they disagree on, particularly the timing.
“The first meeting that was called did not hold because the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health who was supposed to be at that meeting had to attend the Federal Executive Council meeting. They are trying to fix another meeting but the Lagos people refused; saying they want to go on strike.”
