NSITF Commits To Effective Employees Compensation Scheme

In a significant move to boost a sustainable employees compensation administration in the country, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund NSITF, says it has developed a legal framework that protects against injury, operational disease or death in the line of duty in a visionary leadership of securing both the employee welfare and employers sustainability for effective productivity and human dignity.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive, Nigeria Social Insurance Fund NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye who stated this at the Legal Stakeholders Interactive Session on the Employees Compensation Scheme ECS for Nigerian workers.

Mr Faleye explained that the National Industrial Court established in 1976 under the trade dispute decree 7 has become a conscience of the labour system with exclusive jurisdiction over labour related disputes including those under the Employees Compensation Scheme ECS, under the administration of the Nigeria Social Insurance Scheme NSITF.

Mr Faleye stressed that there was an urgent need for workplace safety and a robust social protection system, that must be inclusive, sustainable, and protect the very people who fuel its development.

The NSITF Boss, stressed that the Judiciary especially the National Industrial Court of Nigeria occupies a central position in the effective enforcement of the employee compensation Act 2010, explaining that the Act is a social welfare statute designed to provide protection, compensation and rehabilitation for employees who suffer injury, disease or death in the cause of employment.

“Its success depends not only on administrative mechanisms but also on how the court interprets, apply and uphold its provisions because protection of workers is the very essence of protecting the nations future.

“According to the international Labour Organization statistics show that more than 2.8m workers die annually from occupational accidents and diseases and over 374m suffer non-fatal injuries leading to long term disabilities and global poor occupational safety, which is recorded as 4% of the global GDP annually; he added.

In a keynote address, President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria Justice Benedict Kanyip said Nigerian workers understand their rights but, fear of sanctions and reputation harm has led many employers to hide work place accidents and employees on the other hand fear loss of job and stigmatization resulting in a data gap that hinders effective planning, policy making process and targeted intervention.

Justice Kanyip explained that the implementation of the Employees Compensation Act (ECA) can not rest solely on the NSITF alone hence the need for the body of judges been very instrumental in driving the enforcement powers of the scheme.

He maintained that for transformative legislation to reach its full potential, lawyers, judges, and policy makers must inject life into its provisions through interpretation, enforcement, and advocacy.

“As distinguished members of the bench we must not only advocate for compliance but, lead by example by ensuring that every judge is covered by the ECA, the National Judicial Council NJC, especially the National Industrial Court judges who face intense psychological and physical stress which may lead to mental health condition.

“Judges must consistently uphold the protective and humanitarian interpretations that prioritize human dignity that sets precedence to punish employers non-compliance and encourage speedy adjudication of compensation cases.

Justice Kanyip added that lawmakers must realize that the labour market is evolving rapidly, hence the need for regular review of some provisions of the Employee Compensation Act to meet the present economic realities.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji