BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

THOUGH the Employee Compensation Scheme, ECS, a child of the Employee Compensation Act, ECA, commenced July last year, however, February 24, 2012, at the official commissioning of the Lagos Corporate Head office of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, could be regarded as the actual take of date for the scheme.

Reason; it was the beginning of  reimbursement for any company or enrollee for medical expenses for injury sustained at work.

On that day, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, in the presence of stakeholders presented a N557, 800 cheque to Cappa and D’ Alberto Plc as reimbursement for money spent for the treatment of its injured workers since the commencement of the scheme last year.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, Mr. Segun Oshinowo, said the commissioning  was a bold step in the administrative structure required to deliver on the dividends of employee compensation scheme.

He said“NSITF as of today on account of employee compensation Act, has everything going for it. That is, the goodwill and support of employers, the goodwill and support of the workers and the support of the Federal Government to succeed. What we are asking of NSITF today is first class performance.”

NECA Director-General added that with the take off scheme Nigeria was on the right track to delivering on decent work agenda.

ECS must not fail
Speaking, President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, believed if there was any singular act that even labour could beat its chest to say this government was on track, it was on welfare of workers.

He said. “I see this employee compensation scheme as something very important for Nigeria and Nigerians despite the fact that some people said the population of workers is very small, some people say 6 percent or so. But I beg to disagree especially as this scheme is concerned. When you say workers, you must say workers and their families. A worker plus his family is almost equal to the entire Nigerian population.

Workers

“Therefore this scheme is almost to cover the entire Nigerian population.  The presentation of cheque to Cappa marked the effective commencement of the work of this scheme and I must hasten to caution that as soon as it is flagged off, that means any worker that has a claim to make will definitely push forward to put up his or her claim. I do hope we are very much prepared.”

He called on social partners, particularly employers in private and public sectors to ensure that contributions were remitted to NSITF promptly, saying “this is one scheme that we must not fail Nigerians. For this scheme to succeed, all hands must be on deck.”

Corroborating Comrade Omar, President-General of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Comrade Peter Esele, noted that NSITF was expected to deliver quality service judging from the composition of the board which included representatives of social partners.

He said “It is our expectations that service delivery would be better and the Nigerian workers would be happier. I do not think of any other board where the interest of Nigerian workers would be better protected than the board of NSITF especially with labour representatives on the board.

“We expect that when the issue of injury at work comes up, workers would be compensated accordingly. On this aspect, the President of the country deserved to be commended for the Act. We also expect that the government would also release the funds. It is one thing to say we are supporting NSITF, the actual support comes when the funds that are appropriated for this scheme is made available.”

Minster assures on safety at workplace
On his part, Chief Wogu, spoke of better days ahead for workers as the Federal Government was committed to a cleaner, safer and healthier work environment to all Nigerian workforces through factory inspection.

“This administration aims at a zero-tolerance on workplace accidents, injuries and fatalities, and is determined to collaborate with all social partners and other stakeholders to guarantee a cleaner, safer and healthier work environment to all Nigerian workers.

“It is therefore instructive to note that the extension of social protection floor coverage to Nigerian workers has gone beyond the level of policy rhetoric to implementation and performance space. Our commitment to extend social protection coverage to all Nigerian workers is based on the International Labour Organization (ILO), 1944 Philadelphia Declaration.”

Earlier In her speech the Chairperson of NSITF Board, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, said the ECS was carefully planned to ensure that the welfare of workers was given top priority.

She said, “This scheme is a silent revolution that was carefully thought out and executed by the Federal Government in order to ensure that the welfare of Nigerian workers is given top priority in the scheme of things.”

She assured stakeholders that NSITF had human capital to deliver top class services asked for continued support.
Dr. Olejeme pledges the firm support of the Board of NSITF to the vision of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for Nigerian workers, while appreciating the Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity for his assistance, guidance and purposeful leadership which he is providing in the Ministry.