The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) says the Commission plays a critical role in pension administration in Nigeria by ensuring that private employers comply with the law and resolving disputes between employers and employees.
The Commission while disclosing this during a stakeholders interactive forum in Abuja, noted that the agency contributes immensely to the education of the public on their rights and responsibilities regarding pension administration in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the topic of the interactive forum is titled :THE STAKEHOLDERS AUDIENCE ON PRIVATE SECTOR COMPLIANCE TO PENSION ACT, 2004.
It said the government agencies involved in compliance with the Pension Act of 2004 include the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the Public Complaints Commission (PCC).
“The Pension Act of 2004 was enacted to establish a contributory pension scheme for Nigeria. This Act requires employers to make regular contributions to a pension fund on behalf of their employees.
“Compliance with this Act is important to ensure that employees receive the benefits they are entitled to when they retire.
“However, compliance with the Act by private employers in Nigeria has been a challenge due to several reasons such as lack of awareness, inadequate implementation, and limited enforcement.
“The PCC also plays a role in educating members of the public on their rights and responsibilities regarding pension administration in Nigeria. The agency provides information on the Pension Reform Act of 2014 and other relevant laws and regulations, which helps to create awareness and promote compliance.
“However, despite the existence of this law, some private employers in Nigeria fail to comply with its provisions, resulting in a situation where employees are not receiving their pension contributions or the contributions are not being remitted to the PFAs in a timely manner.
“Private organizations can promote fair hiring practices by ensuring that local engineers and craftsmen are given equal opportunities to apply for jobs and that they are not discriminated against based on their nationality or ethnicity.
However, the Agency also revealed that The PCC investigates complaints and seeks to resolve them through mediation or conciliation. In cases where mediation or conciliation fails, the PCC may refer the matter to appropriate law enforcement agencies or courts for further action. (NAN)