Matthew Otoijahga
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) is to carry out massive awareness campaign among employers of labour in the country as a way of increasing enrolment in the Employee Compensation Scheme of the government being implemented by the Fund.
Chairman of the Board of the NSITF, Austin Enejamo-Isire said at the ongoing 108 session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva Switzerland that employers of labour who are the major contributors to the fund need to be made aware of the advantage of enrolling their workers in the scheme.
He said awareness creation was key to the success of the Employee Compensation Scheme, adding that the Buhari led federal government was doing a lot for Nigerians in the area of social investments in other to provide a fair guarantee for all Nigerians.
He said: “I have just resumed as the chairman of NSITF board and I believe that one way to increase enrolment is to create awareness and I do know that if you do great things and you fail to propagate those things, nobody will recognise that.
“One of the key things we are going to do to stimulate a greater enrolment is awareness creation. We must let them be aware that there are great benefits in enrolling in the social security work of the government”.
He said further that “a lot like you are aware, a lot has been done by the government and they are still doing that in trying to provide decent work for the work force. For example, looking it from the angle of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), we are basically out to provide a fair guarantee system for all those who are affected by occupational hazard and bring a succor to them.
“It is sad that two things happen to a man and that is when a bread winner is gone and the bread itself is gone. That is why the Nigeria Social Trust Fund is out to ensure that beneficiaries of those who suffer death as a result of being in active service are adequately rewarded.
“We have a way of bringing succor to those who suffer disability up to covering their medical expenses. All these are being done to ensure that a decent environment is created. The drive and the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari is particularly in the area of social investment and a whole lot is being done.
“Poverty alleviation comes from there, training and awareness are galvanized to provide a very decent work for Nigerian workers. This is a step in the right direction and in line with the ILO yearning for decent work.
“Sometimes, in our local parlance, we say prevention is better than cure. So, the area of occupational hazard prevention is very key in the world of work. For example, surveys are being done in the health and safety department. We have even gone ahead to encourage them to include issues of occupational hazard to the extent of asking for fire extinguishers.
“Awareness is being done in all areas and that is better than being a reactive person. If we are proactive in addressing all the issues, you will have safety and good work environment. At NSITF, we have a full department handling this area and we are trying to see how we can change the narratives.”