The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Thursday, gave the federal government a seven day ultimatum to return funds diverted from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund NSITF and constitute the governing board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).
Joe Ajaero, in a statement, after the meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), accused the Federal Government of “diverting 40% of workers’ contributions to the national coffers as “revenue”, in flagrant violation of the statutes establishing the NSITF.”
The CWC also expressed grave concern over the non-constitution of the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission, PENCOM, adding that the action contravenes the PENCOM Act and other statutes.
“This unlawful vacuum has allowed government to solely superintend over the pension funds contributed by workers and employers, stripping away the statutory tripartite oversight and increasing the risk of mismanagement and political interference”.
The Union reiterates that pension funds are deferred wages, not state revenue, and demands the immediate constitution of the Board in full compliance with the law.
The statement said the NLC had on Wednesday, met and considered amongst others, the festering leadership crisis in the Edo State Council of the NLC, alarming developments in the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), and the governance vacuum in the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), alongside the broader state of the nation.
The Union said it reviewed the situation in the Edo State Council and ratified the decision to dissolve the State Administrative Council over acts of unethical behaviour, anti-union conduct, and violations of the NLC Constitution.
The meeting also “ approved the constitution of a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the Council until fresh elections are conducted. The CWC reaffirmed that discipline, internal democracy, and accountability remain non-negotiable pillars of the labour movement.”
The NLC expressed outrage at the ongoing assault on workers’ social protection rights through the Federal Government’s diversion of 40% of workers’ contributions to the national coffers as “revenue”, in flagrant violation of the statutes establishing the NSITF.
“Equally condemnable is the new Administration’s false claim of ownership of the NLC National Headquarters, a property owned by Nigerian workers, resort to Cyber and media-bullying of the trade unions and leadership coupled with covert moves to amend the NSITF Act in a manner that would disenfranchise workers and give government full control over the funds. The CWC warns that these actions represent a direct attack on workers’ rights, hard-earned resources, and the principle of tripartite governance enshrined in international labour standards”.
The Congress affirmed that the NSITF belongs to the Nigerian working class and will mobilise all legitimate means to ensure workers’ interests are protected.
“ The CWC noted with grave concern the non-constitution of the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission, in contravention of the PENCOM Act and other statutes. This unlawful vacuum has allowed government to solely superintend over the pension funds contributed by workers and employers, stripping away the statutory tripartite oversight and increasing the risk of mismanagement and political interference”
The CWC reviewed the deepening economic crisis marked by runaway inflation, joblessness, hunger, insecurity, and the collapse of public services, all aggravated by anti-people neoliberal policies.
“The Congress warns that unless Nigeria adopts a people-centred development path anchored on public ownership of strategic sectors, living wages, industrial revival, and social protection, the majority of citizens will remain trapped in poverty while the ruling elite continues in opulence”
The NLC therefore resolved to ensure “strict compliance with the NLC Constitution in all State Councils, with zero tolerance for indiscipline.
The Union also “ratified the dissolution of the State Administrative Council of NLC in Edo state and the setting up of a Caretaker Committee.
Other resolution include “Mobilisation of workers across the country to defend workers’ contributions in the NSITF and pension funds from government expropriation.
“Demand the immediate constitution of the PENCOM Governing Board in line with the law.
“To this end, the CWC-in-session hereby directs that the NSITF must account for and return all diverted funds within seven (7) working days from today.
“ The PENCOM Board must be properly constituted in full compliance with the law within seven (7) working days from today.
“The Pension Commission to submit to the NLC full status report of the funds within this same period.
“ If at the end of this Seven (7) working days, nothing is done, NLC will no longer guarantee Industrial peace in the Sector”.
