NAFDAC Workers Embark On Indefinite Strike

  The strike follows multiple meetings with NAFDAC management which failed to yield desired outcomes regarding critical issues affecting staff. Some of the issues include a review of the 2024 promotion examination results, the appointment of directors for public affairs/special duties, training institute, and reform of promotion examination content. Others are the creation of a psychology officer cadre by HOS circular, payment of all pending burial expenses, life insurance and repatriation allowance, and salary arrears for 2022 employees. In a statement, Ejor Michael, TUC secretary, said the workers had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the agency’s management in a communique dated September 20, 2024. The statement said another congress of NAFDAC staff was convened on October 4, following the expiration of the ultimatum. “After careful deliberation, Congress unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike across all NAFDAC formations, commencing Monday, 7th October 2024,” the statement reads. “In view of the foregoing, you are hereby directed to down tools by withdrawing all your services in compliance with the strike action. We will not relent until all issues are satisfactorily addressed.”

Breaking: ASUU Commence Indefinite Strike 

  The statement emphasized that the decision to embark on a “total and comprehensive indefinite strike” was made after several attempts at negotiation yielded no results. Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Imo State University (IMSU) chapter, on Friday, September 20, 2024, declared an indefinite strike to push for the resolution of long-standing issues related to their benefits. In a joint statement signed by the Chairperson and Secretary of ASUU-IMSU, Comrade Odinakachukwu Ejiogu and Comrade Lazarus Chikwendu, the union expressed frustration over the failure of authorities to address concerns that have persisted for several years. The statement emphasized that the decision to embark on a “total and comprehensive indefinite strike” was made after several attempts at negotiation yielded no results. The statement read, “We are embarking on a total and comprehensive indefinite strike effective from Friday, 20th September. The decision stems from several unresolved issues persisting for years.” “We demand an end to promotion without financial benefits since 2016, ASUU-IMSU staff salary disparity with other tertiary institutions, undue delay in staff assessment and promotion, selective salary payment, and non-payment of arrears of salaries”. “Non-payment of earned academic allowance since 2009, non-remittance of Union check off/welfare dues from 2020-2021, non-remittance of pension deduction from May 2016 to date, non-payment of annual increment in salaries, the inclusion of IMSU into Treasury Single Account, funding of the University and erosion of the University autonomy.” It said, “We have made several attempts through letters, rallies, meetings and press releases and no concrete action has been taken by the university administration, governing council, and the visitor to the university”. “We issued 21 days’ notice on the 18th of July this year so that the University could resolve all the issues but no solution came. We were compelled to proceed on indefinite strike to press home our demands.” However, they called for the understanding and support of the public as they stand for justice improved conditions and a brighter future for the university.