No fewer than 500,000 workers would lose their jobs as a result of the phase-out of production, sale, and consumption of alcohol in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate bottles, the Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association and National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employee (NUFBTE) disclosed yesterday.
The union, during protests in Lagos, called on the Federal Government to save the looming scenario.
The National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently announced the ban with a vow to clamp down on individuals or companies flouting the directive.
However, protesters who stormed the Lagos office of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), reeled out various economic disadvantages of the proposed ban and appealed to the Government to reconsider the stand.
According to a joint statement by the protesting unions, this singular action has sent over 500,000 breadwinners out of jobs and into the oversaturated Nigerian labour market.
The associations complained that this new policy would further pile more problems on the Nigerian economy as it may lead to the eventual shutdown of the industries producing these products.
“Most of our jobs are at stake” Comrade Emmanuel Idogien, Vice Chairman, Trade Union, Lagos Council stated while highlighting the potential impact on employment within the industry.
“Many companies will fold up, especially those local industries that serve as raw materials to the producers,” he added.
The unions asserted that their employers have been law-abiding and socially responsible citizens who dutifully pay their taxes which runs into several billions of naira thus contributing to economic growth.
Rather than embark on an outright ban, they advised the government to work together with stakeholders and embark on advocacy initiatives to advise the public on the dangers of overconsumption and underage drinking.
They pleaded with NAFDAC and the Federal Government to lift the outright ban on the products. They enjoined the Agency to implement regulation of the products as well as utilise the public enlightenment option instead of throwing the baby with the bath.
With this ban, counterfeiters and moonshiners will have a field day which will give rise to various health problems, they warned.
