NGOING STRIKE ACTION IN NAFDAC BY THE MEDICAL & HEALTH WORKERS UNION OF NIGERIA, (MHWUN): NEED TO RETURN TO WORK
The industrial action embarked upon by the staff unions is into its second week. The strike action that commenced on 7th October 2024 was precipitated by some grievances to which the management is paying serious attention.
Despite the efforts of the Management to resolve these issues amicably, having had three meetings with the Union leadership, (prestrike on 5th October 2024 and during strike on 11th, 18th and 19th October 2024) the situation remains unresolved. Given the significant public health responsibilities of NAFDAC, the prolonged strike poses a potential risk to the health and safety, and security of Nigerians, as critical regulatory functions are being disrupted.
In addition, the cost of the strike to the Agency is unquantifiable in terms of our reputation and loss of revenue. This has obvious implications as it will impact our ability to pay productivity allowance (in 2024) and other allowances that will be due in 2025.
While SSASCGOC has shown maturity in suspending its strike action, MHWUN is still bent on continuing with the industrial action. It is an ill wind that blows no good. We must put the interest of Nigeria above all else.
Below are the critical issues raised by MHWUN and the efforts the management has invested towards solving them: The expansion of vacancies to facilitate the promotion of all candidates that scored 60 marks and above in the NAFDAC 2024 Promotion exercise.
Promotion in Public Service is based on competitive merit subject to the availability of vacancies. The Agency does not determine vacancies. It is purely the responsibility of the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
However, the issue is being addressed as NAFDAC Management has written to the Head of Service through the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare (CMHSW) for the expansion of vacancies.
The CMHSW recommended the request, and MHWUN was informed. 2. Full Compliance with 2022 Agreement signed with the NAFDAC Council and Management: The concern of the union is gazetting of the Hazard, Productivity and Regulatory Allowances.
MnUnknown to the union this matter has been partially addressed by the Secretary to Government of the Federation through the advocacy and interventions of the DG. The SGF has written to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy to approve the allowances for NAFDAC Staff using the user fees. Training School in Kaduna: The Union was informed that training school in its physical form was discussed as not feasible by Council in 2022 because of the political and security situation in Kaduna. Online training school is already up and running in the Agency since October 2023. The management is poised to revisit the on-site training school with the Council.4. Payment of Repatriation, Burial Expenses, and Life Insurance Benefits: These issues are non-existent as benefits are paid to deserving staff members as need arises. However, the management is committed to ensuring that all outstanding claims are paid once the names of the concerned persons are forwarded accordingly. Payment of Disengagement allowance: The notion that the payment of this allowance has been stopped is misguided. There was no such thought from any quater. The management is committed to ensuring that any case of delayed payment is promptly addressed.Casualisation of Drivers: Casual Drivers: In the just concluded recruitment exercise few casual drivers were given permanent employment and recruitment remains an ongoing process. As we get the necessary approvals to recruit, all the casual drivers will be absorbed. Expansion of Organogram to Allow for More Vacancies: When the DG came on board in 2016, there were only 13 Directorates and 13 Directors in NAFDAC. Today we have over 28 Directors in the system due to the expansion drive of the DG. Lately, four new Directorates were created for NAFDAC. This was due to the initiatives of the DG, without prompting from any quarters. We shall continue to expand the structure to align with our objectives, but it is a work in progress.Review of Job-Specific Allowance: The issue of review of job-specific allowance is within the purview of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission. We agree with the Union that the review is long overdue, but the management is not resting on its oars to see that the matter is addressed. Review of Laboratory Allowance: We are very mindful of the good job and commitment demonstrated by laboratory staff which was indeed the reason the allowances were initiated in the first place. However, starting from January 2024 50% of the Agency’s IGR was deducted from source by the government and this has impacted our finances. However, the management is open to an upward review of the Laboratory Allowances and will ensure that the payment is at flat rate across board. Transfer within the Agency: There is indeed a policy that guides transfer in the Agency whereby officers who have spent long periods in a particular location are deployed. Since last year, staff deployment has gone on in the Agency and it is continuing. For example, transfers have been carried out in the South-West Zone, South-East, NorthCentral, and North-East Zones. The laboratory is a specialized area and transfers of officers in the laboratory must be done methodically and measured so as not to disrupt the system. You can see from the forgoing that the Management did not downplay the grouse of the Union but took positive steps towards addressing them. And I can assure you that I will not rest until the issues are proper tackled. Therefore, it has become necessary to appeal to you to return to work and get NAFDAC moving again.
”I appreciate your dedication, diligence and hardwork. That is the hallmark of what NAFDAC staff are known for and we cannot afford to prove otherwise at this critical juncture.
It is my sincere hope that you will hearken to this appeal in the interest of our nation. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
Yours faithfully, Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, FAS Director-General.
