Labour Protests as NAFDAC Bans Sachet Alcoholic Beverages, Says Thousands of Jobs at Risk

Organized labor took to the streets in protest at the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) following the ban and closure of production lines for companies manufacturing alcoholic drinks in sachets and small bottles below 200ml. The ban, enforced by NAFDAC operatives in Ota, Ogun State, has led to the shutdown of several factories, raising concerns about the fate of 45,000 jobs and billions of Naira in investments.

NAFDAC’s enforcement team, led by Mr. Adeniran Kazeem, targeted beverage firms in the Sango-Ota area of Ogun State, sealing production lines of companies like Shash Industries Limited and Nigerian Distilleries Limited. Kazeem explained that the ban, effective from December 31, 2023, was meant to curb the negative effects of affordable alcoholic products on society, particularly on underage consumers.

Vice-President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Emmanuel Idogen, addressed the protesters, highlighting the economic hardships faced by workers and the potential increase in unemployment due to the factory shutdowns. He appealed to NAFDAC to reconsider the directive, emphasizing the impact on families and society.

President of the Food, Beverages and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB), Jimoh Oyibo, labeled the ban a surprise, rejecting it and calling for an immediate reversal. Oyibo argued that the ban’s disadvantages far outweighed the envisaged advantages, urging the government to find alternative solutions such as enforcing age restrictions and promoting waste recycling.

FOBTOB threatened nationwide protests and industrial actions if the government failed to reverse the ban, emphasizing the potential consequences on employment, investment, and revenue loss. The protest is set to continue at the National Assembly, where labor leaders plan to present their case against the ban.

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, had announced the ban, citing concerns about the adverse impact of affordable alcoholic products on the younger generation. The decision aligns with World Health Organization recommendations to regulate the marketing of alcoholic beverages to young people, aiming to control and restrict their availability. Adeyeye emphasized the potential risks children face when consuming alcohol, supporting the ban as a protective measure.

The labour protests underscore the brewing tension between regulatory measures and the economic consequences they may pose, setting the stage for a potential showdown between the government and organized labour.