By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
The Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) NAFDAC Branch today began a seven Days Warning Strike over poor working conditions in the workplace.
In a press release issued by the Vice Chairman of NAFDAC MHWUN branch Comrade Ejor Michael and made available to journalists the strike commenced in the early hours of 15th April, 2021 which may likely continue till further notice.
According to the release the staff are disgruntled over issues including payment of promotion arrears for 2018 and 2019 promotions owed their members which had lingered for too long hence the strike action.
The Union is demanding for a review of the said Job Specific Allowance in line with the current National Minimum Rate, adding that in the last 10 years this has not taken place.
The Union further expressed anger over Management’s disguise under COVID-19 to avoid training of staff, despite the fact that trainings have resumed in other MDAs. The Union demands immediate resumption of training for their members.
Delayed and non payment of financial claims by affected staff without reasons.
The Union therefore said it demands the immediate payment of all pending financial claims by their members.
Meanwhile the Union has raised concerns over the poor and non conducive working environment in some of their offices including the driver’s office in Isolo, Lagos where drivers spend their personal money to put the office in good working condition, citing instances where members of staff procure fans out of their pockets for office use.
Other grivenaces the Union stated include suspension of Severance Allowance being paid to retirees despite the fact that this allowance has been approved by NAFDAC Governing Council as contained in the Condition of Service for NAFDAC staff. The Union Leadership is demanding for the immediate resumption of payment of this allowance to deserving beneficiaries.
Non provision of Staff Buses. The Union is also demanding the purchase of staff busses for their members to alleviate the hardship associated with transportation to work.
The Union particularly frowns at the poor conditions of staff buses used by staff and in some cases, some routes where staff live do not have buses.
The Union stated that the NAFDAC Management is more concern with the procurement of Hilux Vehicles, as the Management recently purchased well over 50 Hilux Vehicles. There was this particular incident where members were trapped in the staff as the doors refused to open.. Staff had to get of the bus through the booth.
Discriminatory Payment of COVID-19 Palliative (allowance) by percentage as used by NAFDAC and or the non -payment of some staff.
The Union is demanding that the agency borrow a leaf from other government agencies on the modalities used in paying their staff who performed various frontline and essential services.
