Shutting Down Workers’ Source Of Livelihood: TUC, FOBTOB Picket NAFDAC

Citing alleged shutting down of people’s source of livelihood, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Food, Beverages and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) are on the warpath.

They have as a resulted mobilised against the National Agency Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) responsible for the shut-down besieging its office

The protest today, February 6, 2024 in front of the NAFDAC office in Oshodi, was triggered particularly by the agency’s closing down of factories of alcoholic drinks manufacturers in sachets

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Recall that it had in 2018 moved to stem the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles below 200ml with effect from January 31, 2024.

This it followed up in January 2022 when it suspended the registration of alcoholic beverages in sachet as well as small volume PET and glass bottles below 200ml.

While not opposing the resolve of the agency to sanitise the economy the labour unions expressed worry that the pattern was literally shutting down people’s source of livelihood.

This much was reiterated by the Vice-President of TUC, Mr Emmanuel Idogen during the protest today.

“We all know the economic hardship we are facing in the country presently. Price of fuel has increased, prices of food is increasing on a daily basis and there is inflation.

“Some of the people earn their living to feed their family and dependents from the factory that you have shut down.

“Invariably, there will be more families exposed to hunger and I believe this will have a negative impact on the society,” he said.

“ou want to lay off thousands of workers into the labour market that is already overstretched.

“What do you expect them to do in order to feed and cater for the needs of their family?.

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“We are appealing to NAFDAC to suspend the directive to shut down the production of alcoholic sachets drinks for the posterity of the masses,” he said.

 “What about others like nylon bags, plastic bottles and other things blocking the drainages.

“To label alcoholic sachets as the sole contributor to the blockages of drainage would be unfair,” he said.

Citing economic advantage of the listed products, he said it remained affordable and economical in quantity for those that don’t have enough money but still wanted to enjoy alcohol consumption.

“When you talk about the purchasing power of the masses, sachet alcoholic beverages is still more available for easy purchase.

“It is not everyone that has money to buy the expensive bottle so why are you trying to make life difficulty for the common man on the street?,” Idogen said.