ABUJA — The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, has raised fresh concerns over the state of workplaces in the country, declaring that Nigerian workers have become one of the most vulnerable groups in society due to increasing occupational risks and inadequate workplace protection measures.
Managing Director of NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, made the declaration during a panel session at the just-concluded International Civil Service Conference in Abuja, where stakeholders discussed “Inclusive public services for women, youths, persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups.”
Represented by the Fund’s Abuja Regional Manager, Mrs Bridget Ashang, Faleye said the NSITF remained committed to protecting vulnerable groups, especially persons living with disabilities, through effective occupational safety and health measures as well as the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, ECS.
According to him, the Fund’s Employees’ Compensation Scheme serves as a critical social protection mechanism for workers who suffer injuries, disabilities, diseases or death in the course of work.
He explained that under the scheme, dependants of deceased workers are supported until the last child attains the age of 21 or graduates from a tertiary institution. Faleye stressed that while compensation remains part of the Fund’s statutory mandate, the agency now places stronger emphasis on prevention of workplace accidents and occupational hazards.
“Prevention is better than compensation. That is why we are leading when it comes to Occupational Safety and Health. We carry out audits, identify gaps in workplaces, recommend corrective actions and guide employers on best practices,” he said.
Faleye lamented that workers are often overlooked in conversations around social protection despite the enormous risks they face daily.
“I want to specifically talk about a vulnerable group that people hardly consider vulnerable — those who wake up every morning, commute to work regardless of the weather, remain at work all day and carry out different forms of labour. These are the workers, and they are among the most vulnerable groups,” he stated.
He noted that many disabilities recorded in the country arise from workplace-related incidents, insisting that employers must create safe, healthy and inclusive work environments for all categories of workers, including women, youths and persons living with disabilities.
Faleye disclosed that NSITF regularly conducts workplace occupational safety inspections to ensure accessibility and inclusiveness for vulnerable employees. He, however, decried the absence of punitive provisions in the existing law guiding workplace protection.
“Our law says employers should ensure workers are properly protected while at work, and where incidents occur, we step in. Unfortunately, there are no sanctions,” he lamented.
Other panellists at the session included Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Kachallom Daju; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General of the Federation, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba; disability rights advocate, Dr Jake Epelle; Hansatu Adegbite; and Kristin Envig.
