The National Lottery Authority (NLA) is facing the threat of a major industrial action as workers have issued a formal notice of their intention to embark on a nationwide strike from June 24, 2026, if management fails to address what they describe as long-standing operational inefficiencies and deteriorating working conditions.
In a strongly-worded letter addressed to the Director-General of the NLA, the Financial, Business and Services Employees Union (FBSEU) accused management and the governing board of failing to resolve critical challenges affecting both staff welfare and the sustainability of the Authority.
The union said it had exhausted all avenues of dialogue and engagement but had seen little commitment from management to address pressing concerns, forcing workers to consider industrial action as a last resort.
According to the union, employees are working under deplorable conditions marked by shortages of essential tools such as laptops, printers, scanners, photocopiers and office stationery. It further alleged that some offices lack functioning air conditioners while sanitation facilities have deteriorated into unhealthy conditions.
The union also raised concerns about the state of official staff accommodation, claiming routine maintenance has been neglected, leaving several facilities in a state of disrepair.
Frontline operations, the workers said, have been severely affected by obsolete Point of Sale (POS) terminals that frequently malfunction, resulting in revenue losses, customer dissatisfaction and increased stress on staff and Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs).
The workers further accused management of engaging in arbitrary recruitment practices that allegedly violate provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. They claimed the recruitment process lacks transparency and undermines opportunities for existing staff.
Among the most serious allegations contained in the notice are claims that management has failed to effectively regulate private lottery operators, allowing unregulated competitors to gain significant market share at the expense of the Authority.
The union also cited the poor condition of operational vehicles used by field officers, describing them as unsafe and unfit for service. It warned that continued use of such vehicles exposes workers to unnecessary risks.
Another major concern relates to delays in the payment of lottery winnings, which the workers say have damaged the Authority’s reputation and placed frontline staff at risk of confrontations with frustrated customers.
The union additionally questioned an alleged arrangement involving the outsourcing of the Authority’s payment processing software to a former employee who was reportedly dismissed on grounds of misconduct. It described the alleged arrangement as a potential breach of corporate governance and procurement procedures.
Workers also expressed frustration over delays in implementing a Scheme of Service designed to guide promotions and career progression, as well as the failure to operationalize a promised staff health insurance scheme.
Furthermore, the union criticized what it described as the diversion of funds from the NLA’s Good Causes Foundation to support the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, arguing that the move undermines staff welfare initiatives supported by the foundation.
To avert the strike, the union is demanding immediate action, including the provision of modern working tools, replacement of obsolete POS machines, suspension of irregular recruitment processes, deployment of regulatory task forces against illegal lottery operators, replacement of unsafe vehicles, prompt payment of lottery winnings, implementation of the Scheme of Service and health insurance scheme, and restoration of funds allocated to the Good Causes Foundation.
The union has given management until 5:00 p.m. on June 19, 2026, to reach a concrete and enforceable agreement on the issues raised. Failure to do so, it warned, will result in workers withdrawing their services from June 24.
Copies of the notice have been forwarded to the NLA Board, the Ministers of Finance and Employment and Labour Relations, the National Labour Commission, Lotto Marketing Companies Association, and the media.
