By Victor Ahiuma-Young – LAGOS

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has lamented that thousands of Nigerian workers who suffer injuries, disabilities and occupational diseases are still denied timely support and compensation, despite the existence of the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA) 2010.

This position was articulated by National Treasurer of the NLC, Aliyu Haruna, during a presentation at the NSITF–NECA Safe Workplace Intervention Project, SWIP, Interactive Enlightenment Forum and Awards Ceremony, held in Ikeja, Lagos.

Haruna described the Employees’ Compensation Act as one of Nigeria’s most important social protection laws, enacted to guarantee compensation and social security for workers affected by workplace injuries, illnesses or death. However, he said the law’s full benefits have remained largely unrealised due to weak enforcement, poor awareness and administrative challenges.

“Fifteen years after its enactment, many workers are still suffering in silence,” he said. “The law exists, but implementation remains inconsistent and uneven across sectors and states.”

According to the NLC, low awareness among both workers and employers is a major setback. Many workers, especially in the public sector, local government councils and the informal economy, are unaware of their rights and claims procedures under the Act. On the employers’ side, non-compliance—often driven by ignorance or deliberate avoidance—has further weakened the scheme.

Haruna noted that only a limited number of states, including Lagos, Rivers, Kano, Akwa Ibom and Oyo, have meaningfully operationalised the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, leaving large numbers of workers unprotected across the country.

He also identified bureaucratic bottlenecks and administrative delays as key challenges. Although the Act provides clear timelines for claims processing, workers often face prolonged delays in medical approvals, documentation verification and benefit payments due to understaffing, poor infrastructure and manual record-keeping.

“These delays worsen the suffering of injured workers and their families, many of whom lose their livelihoods while waiting for assistance,” he said.

The NLC further raised concerns about irregular remittance of contributions, weak penalties for defaulting employers and insufficient commitment by government institutions, particularly at state and local government levels.

Another major issue highlighted was the limited coverage of the scheme. Informal sector workers, casual labourers, contract staff and workers in emerging sectors such as the gig economy remain largely excluded from effective protection under the current framework.

Haruna added that inadequate data management and poor employment records by employers often result in disputes, delays or outright denial of legitimate claims. Workers also face obstacles such as fear of victimisation, difficulty obtaining medical reports and manipulation or delayed reporting of workplace incidents.

Despite these challenges, the NLC maintained that the Employees’ Compensation Act remains a vital instrument for protecting workers if properly implemented.

To improve outcomes, the Congress called for intensified nationwide awareness campaigns, digitisation and administrative reforms at the NSITF, stronger enforcement mechanisms and stricter sanctions against defaulting employers. It also advocated for mandatory adoption of the scheme by all tiers of government and a review of the Act to expand coverage to informal and platform-based workers.

Haruna stressed that trade unions would continue to play a leading role in educating workers, assisting with claims, monitoring compliance and partnering with relevant institutions to promote workplace safety.

“The law was enacted to protect workers, not to exist on paper,” he said. “Until enforcement is strengthened, injured workers will continue to suffer despite the compensation law.”