Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, has expressed concern over non-unionisation of pensioners of the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS.

NUP is therefore seeking the support of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to engage the National Pension Commission, PenCom, to unionse the affected pensioners.

The union in a motion to the 11th National Delegates Conference, NDC, of NLC, seconded by Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union, RATTAWU, recalled that by Decrees No. 21 and 22 of August 1978, the Federal Government recognized and registered Industrial Unions.

According to NUP, “We are aware that the contributory Pension Scheme was established by the Pension Reform Act of 2004 and that this Act was later amended comprehensively in 2014 to correct and overcome most of the inadequacies of the old pension Scheme.

“We are equally aware that the Pension Reform Act 2004 (as amended in 2014) makes no provision whatsoever for the unionization of pensioners under the contributory pension scheme.”

The union noted that it is worried that “pensioners under this new Scheme, (contributory Pension Scheme, CPS) are already facing serious problems which include non-remittance of their savings to pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), by their employers, non-payment and non-remittance of their own percentage by employers thereby resulting in non-payment ; short-payment, or delay in payment of entitlements of many pensioners under the CPS. We are also concerned that when faced with any of these serious challenges, these pensioners have no union they can legitimately run to except the NUP; and to which, in fact, they have been coming for assistance.”

Consequently, NUP asked that the congress-in-session mandates the leadership of NLC and NUP within the first year of the incoming Congress to collaborate with and engage in serious discussion with PenCom to ensure unionization of Contributory Pensioners. Similarly, NUP being the only registered and recognized union for all pensioners, the congress-in-session should mandate the leadership of NLC and NUP within the first year of the incoming Congress, to work out the modalities for incorporating Contributing Pensioners with the NUP with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities attached thereto.”