NSITF, NICN to partner on employees compensation scheme

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) are planning a collaboration aimed at boosting the implementation of the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS).

The Managing Director of NSITF, Adebayo Somefun, disclosed this when he led the management team of the Fund on a courtesy call to the acting president of NICN, Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip

He said the collaboration between NSITF and NICN would include addressing matters relating to noncompliance with the provisions of the ECA as well as appeals from any decision of the board, among other matters.

Somefun said the Fund had embraced the responsibility for payment of compensation to employees or their dependents qualified under the Employees Compensation Act (ECA) 2010 for any death, injury, disease or disability arising out of or in the course of employment.

Kanyip called for periodic interactions between NSITF and his court.

He said to show objectivity, such interactions should include stakeholders of the Fund such as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

According to him, “when all the stakeholders are present, then there is a basis to talk without one side accusing the other.”

He stressed the need for enlightenment on the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, saying with proper knowledge of the scheme, lawyers would be better equipped to handle cases of industrial disputes.