By Joan Nwagwu
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund(NSITF) has called for the Employees Compensation Scheme(ECS) for all casual workers in the country.
Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, the Managing Director of the NSITF made the call while delivering a keynote address the 68 Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) on Thursday in Abuja.
Faleye said that the ECS coverage was imperative as thousands of casual workers in the construction industry were left outside the coverage with the attendant consequence of abandonment in the event of workplace accidents or death.
According to him, I want to bring your attention to an issue that requires our immediate and collective action, and that is the coverage of casual workers under the ECS.
“Currently, our practice ensures that contract staff are covered by the ECS. But what about our casual workers? These individuals face the same risks, breathe the same dust, and contribute equally to the progress of our projects.
“Yet, they stand outside the protective umbrella of our scheme.This disparity is not just unfair; it’s a risk to the very foundations of safety we are trying to build,”he said.
He however,described it as a dire anti-worker situation, which poses a huge risk to the foundation of safety in the world of workplace
He therefore said there was urgent need for a change.
Faleye added that, the NSITF is open to finding solutions, but we need your help, your expertise, and your commitment.
“We want FOCI to partner with us in developing strategies to ensure that all construction workers, regardless of their employment status, are adequately covered by the ECS.
“This is not just about compliance; it’s about values. It’s about recognizing the worth and dignity of every individual who contributes to building our nation.It is about living up to the ideals that we, as industry leaders, profess to uphold.
“I propose that we form a joint task force between NSITF and FOCI to tackle this issue head-on.
Let’s explore innovative solutions – perhaps a flexible premium structure or a pooled resource model.
“Our management team is ready to sit down with you, to listen, to brainstorm, and to implement practical solutions that work for everyone,”he said.
He said that steps must be taken to protect the dignity and safety of every individual worker as a pivotal requirement in building a resilient national workforce.
Faleye also noted that the ECS as a safety net and springboard, fostering a culture of workplace responsibility while encouraging best practices in occupational health.
He further charged all construction companies to improve the safety and health standards of their workers, saying that the unenviable record of preventable workplace accidents in the sector cannot be ignored.
“The construction sector, along with manufacturing, has historically held an unenviable record of preventable work accidents in Nigeria.
“This is a stark reality we can no longer ignore. Our records at NSITF show that a disproportionate number of our interventions for accident victims and work-related fatalities come from these sectors,”he said.
He therefore urged the sector to apply cutting-edge factors that influence the dynamics of safety and health in their operations.
Also, Chief Vincent Barrah, President of FOCI said that there was urgent need to revamp the country’s economy.
He said that the continuous upward review of fuel price and the unification of the exchange rate has created market distortion and the ease of doing business in the country.
“We are not totally agai fuel subsidy removal but a plan ought to have been in place to mitigate the negative effect on consumers income,”he said.