By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has since its inception, provided artificial body parts to over 100 disabled workers, the Managing Director of the Fund, Maureen Allagoa, has said.
She also said the management has resolved its face-off with workers over welfare matters.
Recall that there was a disagreement between the management and the unions in NSITF over welfare issues that attracted the quick intervention of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju.
The Permanent Secretary was able to ensure an amicable resolution of all disagreements and a harmonious working environment.
Asked about the current situation as regards the welfare of workers that necessitated an aborted planned strike, the Managing Director said, “We went for a conciliatory meeting and our Permanent Secretary called us for this meeting by and large we resolved all the issues. She even mandated us to go further and talk with our unions, NUBIFE and ASIBIFI on two particular issues which we did.
“However, regarding the issue of the coalescing, it was resolved that we take it to the Office of the Head of Civil Service since it is an establishment issue. So, there is peace and calm in NSITF, we have come to a meeting of the minds and we are waiting for the outcome of this issue on the coalescing of Grade Levels.”
Allagoa further said, “The welfare of our staff has always been of particular interest to me because I have worked with them right from my time as Regional Manager. I was an Executive Director of Administration where I became fully exposed to the welfare issues.
“Now being the Managing Director of NSITF, I have a greater opportunity to address those issues that I have been very familiar with. Therefore, I would continue to make efforts to champion necessary changes in our welfare policy to ensure the betterment of staff to boost their morale and motivate them for higher productivity.
“On the issues raised, management and the Unions reached a mutually acceptable resolution on all the issues of tax remittance, National Housing Fund remittance, promotion exercise among others.”
On one of the contentious issues which is tax remittances, she said, “The issue of unremitted pension has been addressed with the Unions. Plans are currently in place to resolve the observed shortfall as mutually agreed at our conciliatory meeting with the Permanent Secretary.”
Also commenting on the issue of the National Housing Fund, she said, “The non-remittance into staff account was purely due to operational issue within the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. This has been resolved with the management on consistent engagements.
“Staff have started receiving alerts on the payments. The Fund has been remitting deducted NHF funds to FMBN as required. There is proof of that.
“Other welfare interventions made by this administration include the collapsing of the housing allowance differential for the outstation staff. All staff now earn the same salary irrespective of their posting, unlike the previous practice where staff in Abuja earn double the housing allowance for outstation staff.
“The Staff health care plan was upgraded in March 2023 to have more coverage for health conditions hitherto not covered in the old health care scheme. This was to ensure that quality health care is accessible to staff.
“Besides, a new staff condition of service became operational in the Fund, in January 2023 after 28 years of last review. Extensive provisions were made in the new SCS to address various issues on staff welfare. Operational busses have been procured for distribution to Region/Branch offices to ease mobility for staff engaged in operational activities. This is also to minimize the difficulty compliance officers face on their job.”
On how the management is carrying out its statutory responsibilities over the paucity of funds occasioned by the economic downturn in the country, she said:
However, the private sector organisations are doing reasonably well and account for more than 90 per cent of our registered employers. Are we shirking our responsibilities in this regard? No! We have been paying promptly all processed and verified claims as when due.
“On prosthesis, we have provided artificial body parts to over 100 disabled workers since inception. This is a form of rehabilitative compensation provided under the scheme which enables the workers who in the course of work have lost a body part to gradually integrate back into society.
“However, the most critical challenge of the Fund in implementing the scheme is to have the buy-in of States and Local governments and some federal government agencies into the scheme. Their compliance with the ECA will increase funds for the scheme.”
