Nigerian Labour Gives Federal Govt 7-Day Ultimatum To Refund Diverted Workers’ Funds From NSITF

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to refund all allegedly diverted workers’ contributions from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and to constitute the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) in accordance with the law.

The directive was among the resolutions reached at the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the NLC held on Wednesday, where labour leaders deliberated on pressing issues affecting Nigerian workers, the trade union movement and the state of the nation.

In a communique signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC condemned what it described as the Federal Government’s diversion of 40 percent of workers’ contributions to the NSITF as revenue, in contravention of the law establishing the Fund.

It accused the current administration of falsely claiming ownership of the NLC national headquarters, engaging in cyber and media intimidation of trade union leaders, and making covert moves to amend the NSITF Act in a way that would give the government total control of the funds.

The workers’ body said the NSITF must account for and return all diverted funds within seven working days from the date of the meeting.

The NLC, which expressed concern over the continued non-constitution of Governing Board of the National Pension Commission, said the vacuum contravenes the PENCOM Act and strips away statutory tripartite oversight. It emphasised that pension funds are deferred wages, not state revenue and demanded immediate compliance with the law.

The Union insisted that the PENCOM Board must be properly constituted within the same period, while the Pension Commission should submit to the NLC a full status report of the funds within the timeframe.

It warned that if nothing was done at the end of the seven days, it would no longer guarantee industrial peace in the sector.

“If at the end of these seven working days, nothing is done, the NLC will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the sector,” NLC warned.

On the leadership crisis in the Edo State Council, the NLC approved the dissolution of the State Administrative Council over allegations of unethical conduct, anti-union activities and breaches of the Union constitution.

It approved the appointment of a caretaker committee to manage the affairs of the council until fresh elections are conducted.