Trade Union Council (TUC), Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB), and National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) staged a protest at the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) against the ban on the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets.
Led by Idogen Emmanuel, Vice Chairman of TUC Lagos chapter, the protesters challenged the government’s decision, describing it as detrimental to families already facing financial difficulties. They criticized recent economic policies, such as subsidy removal and forex regulations, which they claim have added to the burden of the populace.
Emmanuel expressed concerns about the impact of the ban on employment, stating that shutting down sachet alcohol production would affect millions of workers in the industry. He highlighted the challenges faced by companies in sourcing raw materials due to forex regulations.
FOBTOB and NUFBTE also voiced their discontent in a joint statement addressed to the Director General of NAFDAC. They lamented that the ban has led to over 500,000 job losses and further exacerbated the already saturated labour market. They criticized the harsh business environment in Nigeria, which has driven many companies out of the country, and questioned how these actions align with President Tinubu’s agenda for economic renewal.
The protesters called for a reconsideration of the ban, emphasizing the adverse effects on employment and the economy. They urged the government to seek alternative solutions that would not result in widespread job losses and economic strain.
The Guardian