Story by Iyiola Ayomide
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government seven days to reverse what it described as illegal diversion of workers’ contributions in the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and to constitute the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).
The labour body warned that failure to comply would lead to industrial unrest across the country.
In a communiqué issued after its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday, signed by its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC accused the government of undermining workers’ rights and dismantling statutory protections for pension and social security funds.
The congress expressed concern over reports that 40 per cent of workers’ contributions to NSITF had been diverted into government coffers as revenue, describing the act as a violation of the law establishing the fund.
It also condemned alleged moves to amend the NSITF Act to give the government full control over the funds, warning that such a move would deny workers their rights and breach international labour standards.
On PENCOM, the NLC said the non-existence of a legally required governing board had created a vacuum in the management of pension funds, leaving them under the sole control of government officials, without the statutory oversight of workers, employers, and the state.
The communiqué read in part: “The NSITF must account for and return all diverted funds within seven working days from today. The PENCOM board must also be constituted in full compliance with the law within the same period, and a full status report of the funds submitted to the NLC.”
It warned that if nothing was done by the end of the ultimatum, the congress would not guarantee industrial peace in the sector.
In Edo State, the CWC dissolved the state administrative council over alleged unethical behaviour, anti-union activities, and breach of the NLC constitution.
The meeting approved the setting up of a caretaker committee to run the council’s affairs until fresh elections are conducted.
The congress reaffirmed that discipline, internal democracy, and accountability remain core principles of the labour movement.