NAFDAC CEO pleads with striking staff to return to work — News — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

The Director General of the National Food Drug Administration and Control Agency (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye, has pleaded with the Medical and Sanitation Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) to call off their strike and return to work.

MHWUN launched industrial action on October 7, 2024 over issues it says have not been resolved.

Among the issues are the expansion of vacancies to facilitate the promotion of all candidates who scored 60 points and above in the 2024 NAFDAC promotion exercise, full compliance with the 2022 agreement signed with the council and management of NAFDAC, as well as payment of repatriation, burial costs and life insurance benefits.

Adeyeye, in a statement, said that despite the management’s efforts to resolve these issues amicably, after having three meetings with the union leadership (before the strike on October 5, 2024 and during the strike on the 11th, 18th and October 19, 2024), the situation is still not resolved.

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She said given NAFDAC’s significant public health responsibilities, the prolonged strike poses a potential risk to the health, safety and security of Nigerians, as critical regulatory functions are disrupted.

She explained that the cost of the strike to the Agency is not quantifiable in terms of reputation and loss of income, and that this has obvious implications as it will impact on their ability to pay the productivity allowance. (in 2024) and other compensation that will be due. in 2025.

She noted that it has become necessary to appeal to the MHWUN to return to work and revive NAFDAC.

She also expressed appreciation for the dedication, diligence and hard work of the MHWUN, which are hallmarks of the reputation of NAFDAC staff and the Agency cannot afford to prove otherwise at this critical juncture.

She added that she sincerely hopes that the union will listen to the calls in the interest of the country.