AS the employees compensation scheme gets underway, the Federal Government has directed all private firms and the three tiers of government to comply with the provisions of the fault-free scheme. The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, who handed down this directive in Abuja while inaugurating the board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), the body charged with the responsibilities of midwifering the Scheme, said the new scheme is different from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) as the two require contributions from employees. As a scheme that draws its pool of resources purely from funds remitted to it by employers, Wogu said the timely contribution of emloyers is key to the success of the Scheme. This comes as the Acting Managing Director of the NSITF, Alhaji Umar Munir Abubakar has been confirmed substantive Managing Director of the Fund by President Goodluck Jonathan. His appointment, which took effect from December 28, 2009 is for a renewable four years term. Three new Executive Directors have also been appointed to direct the affairs of the Fund with him. They are: Ibrahim Wakawa, Weight Obua and Dr Godson Dinneya. Wogu said: 'The board needs to develop strategies for rapid enforcement of the laws governing the administration of social security in view of the expected resistance by employers of labour, especially in the private sector. He explained that, under the scheme, government will not be contributing as a sovereign authority of state, but as responsible employer of labour. Accordingly, all employers will be registered for proper coordination and administration. While enjoining the members of the board which is led by Mrs Ngozi Olejeme to live to the expectation of the Nigerian workforce, Wogu stated that one of the key indicators to measure the board's performance will be the level of compliance of employers of labour to the Act via the quantum of revenue stream to the NSITF. He added: 'I therefore urge you to be innovative, proactive and adaptable in meeting the yearnings of Nigerian workers, and indeed the nation through the application of modern management techniques.' and information technologies of the 21st century, thereby placing transparency at the centrestage of NSITF's modus operandi.' He also tasked the management members to ensure elaborate public enlightenment and sensitization campaign of all employers and workers as well as bringing benefits to deserving workers. The non-ratification and subsequent domestication of the ILO's Social Security Convention 102 was a worry to the Minsiter as he charged the NSITF to liaise with the National Labour Advisory Council (ARLAC) to achieve the aim. The mainstreaming of social security system into the largely unorganized informal sector of the economy is another area that the board of the Fund should equally explored. Wogu highlighted: 'The board should also come up with innovative ways of formulating programmes and projects that will rapidly extend social security to the informal economy which employs over 70 per cent of Nigeria work force.' Chairman of the board, Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, who responded on the behalf of the members, pledged that social dialogue, which is the hallmark of tripartism will be given manifestation in the deliberations of the members. She stressed that it is the Nigerian workers that are beneficiaries collectively saying, 'the Nigerian worker is a part of the global working class network and therefore the Employees Compensation Scheme which guarantees the welfare and wellbeing of the worker in the event of injury or death in the workplace or in the course of work, is a practical demonstration of government's commitment to the Decent Work Agenda of the ILO.
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