NSITF seeks partnership with union on compensation coverage for casual workers
01 October 2024 |
5:35 am
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has called for a joint task force with the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) to cover casuals in the sector under its Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS).
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has called for a joint task force with the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) to cover casuals in the sector under its Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS).
Delivering a keynote address at the 68 yearly general meeting of the Federation in Abuja, the Managing Director of the NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye frowned at the non-coverage of casual workers who are left to their fate when they sustain injury or death.
He described the situation as a dire anti-worker, which poses a huge risk to the foundation of safety in the world of work. He said: “I want to bring your attention to an issue that requires our immediate and collective action, and that is the coverage of casual workers under the ECS. Currently, our practice ensures that contract staff are covered by the ECS. But what about our casual workers? These individuals face the same risks, breathe the same dust, and contribute equally to the progress of our projects. Yet, they stand outside the protective umbrella of our scheme. This disparity is not just unfair; it’s a risk to the very foundations of safety we’re trying to build.
“I, therefore, call for a change. The NSITF is open to finding solutions, but we need your help, your expertise, and your commitment. We want FOCI to partner with us in developing strategies to ensure that all construction workers – regardless of their employment status – are adequately covered by the ECS.”
He then proposed the formation of a joint task force that will spearhead the inclusion of casuals in the construction industry into the ECS.
“I propose that we form a joint task force between NSITF and FOCI to tackle this issue head-on. Let us explore innovative solutions – perhaps a flexible premium structure or a pooled resource model. Our management team is ready to sit down with you, to listen, to brainstorm, and to implement practical solutions that work for everyone,” he said.
The NSITF boss stated that steps must be taken to protect the dignity and safety of every individual worker as a pivotal requirement in building a resilient national workforce.
Faleye also described the ECS as a safety net and springboard, fostering a culture of workplace responsibility while encouraging best practices in occupational health.
He further charged all construction companies to improve the safety and health standards of their workers, saying that the unenviable record of preventable workplace accidents in the sector cannot be ignored.
He added: “The construction sector, along with manufacturing, has historically held an unenviable record of preventable work accidents in Nigeria. This is a stark reality we can no longer ignore. Our records at NSITF showed that a disproportionate number of our interventions for accident victims and work-related fatalities come from these sectors.” He, therefore, urged the sector to apply cutting-edge factors that influence the dynamics of safety and health in their operations.
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