Guardian

HELP is underway for the vulnerable groups such as the elderly, unemployed persons nursing mothers as the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) plans to roll out social security scheme for the voiceless members of the Nigerian society.

This comes as about 1,500 employers and 500,000 workers have so far enrolled on the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECA).

The Managing Director of the (NSITF), Alhaji Abubakar Munir, who revealed this to The Guardian at the on-going International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, said the Fund would roll out the scheme as soon as the National Assembly pass a draft bill on social security into law.

His words: “There is a draft bill before the National Assembly on social security. The draft bill has gone through the first reading and public hearing had been conducted. We believe other steps would soon be taken aimed at passing the bill into law.

“The International Labour Organisation has nine branches of social security. Out of these nine, Nigeria is implementing three, which included pension, health insurance and compensation schemes. The other ones such as social security for the elderly, unemployment benefits, maternity would be consolidated in the new law.

“We know that all the schemes cannot take-off at the same time but as soon as the ECA is stabilised, we will then begin the implementation of other schemes in order of importance. As at today, there are over 1,500 employers that have complied with the law while there are over 500,000 workers enrollees on the scheme.”

The NSITF boss stated that though the scheme is new in the country, the level of enrollees have continued to be on the upward swing.

“The compliance level of the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECA) by employers is appreciative with the cooperation of the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA). We now have major firms in the construction industry and their counterparts in the oil and gas sectors have also complied. The medium and small-scale sector has also complied but the main challenge is the state and local government authorities that are yet to comply,” he added.

The NSITF boss lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for meeting his promise of prompt payment for the Federal Government staffers. He added with the payment of 2011 and 2012 for its staff, the Federal Government remains faithful to its commitment to ensuring timely payment.

Munir explained: “The Federal Government has paid its staff for 2011, 2012 and it is about to pay for 2013. This has demonstrated the willingness of government to prioritise the wellness of its workforce and Nigerians. We take this as a point of making a case for employers of labour in the country to pay up so we don’t endanger the lives of workers. If government can pay, there is no reason any employer should refuse to pay.”

While the NSITF helmsman opined that the scheme may have recorded initial achievement going by the number of employers and workers on the scheme, he was quick to add that the fund is in talks with more employers on how to join the scheme.

He added: “Even though we think we have made some laudable achievements going by the number of employers and workers we have, we are not oblivious of the need to be cautious in ensuring compliance. The NSITF is not thinking of dragging any employer to court over the scheme at least for now. We are encouraged by the number of employers who have come to us requesting one waiver or the other in order to participate in the scheme. We will treat each waiver on its merit and ensure we are fair to all employers.”

Munir hinted that plans are underway to engage state and local councils over how to ensure speedy compliance.