ABUJA — Stakeholders yesterday faulted the newly passed Pensions Act 2004 even as three labour centres resolved to be prepared to face the challenges of the anti-labour policies of the Federal Government which form part of government’s economic reform package.
Speaking at a one day seminar on the Pensions Act organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the American Solidarity Centre, union leaders and experts pointed out that many aspects of the Act are ambiguous. Exchanging experiences, stakeholders disclosed that workers have become restive with uncertainty about their gratuity and pension with some threatening violent actions.
Director-General of the National Pension Commisson, Alhaji Mohammed K. Ahmed admitted that the law as passed by the National Assembly is far from perfect.
He admitted that unlike the previous law, when a worker knew his age of retirement, “this Act is not talking about retirement age. It is a matter between the employer and the employee.”
Prof. Oluwole Akanle of the Centre for Law and Development, who presented a paper on the Pension Act, noted that the Act is not binding on state governments. Neither the experts nor the D-G of the commission could say what happens to a worker who decides to merge his service at the federal civil service with that of his state civil service. Professor Akanle also said the Act is silent on the fate of a worker who lives beyond 70 years .
Earlier, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Adams Oshiomhole said civil servants have been worried about the implementation of the new law especially as it affects their future. He explained that the NLC organized the workshop to enable its members hear from experts how the law would benefit the worker. He said although labour made its presentations at the public hearings of the Senate and the House of Representatives, only the House considered the input of labour in its recommendations.
Since the law has been passed, labour he said must understand its implications for the average worker.
Also speaking, the president of the Trade Union Congress, Mrs. Nkiru Obiajulu said, most of her members are worried especially as they have effective pension schemes.
She said, “ Labour should forge ahead if we don’t want government to destroy us with reform policies”, adding that there there are many of such policies in the making.
In his remark, the president of the Congress of Free Trade Unions, Comrade Ojei said labour must “ formulat the strategy for the future policies of government that are anti- people”.
Comrade Princewill Ojei who is the president of the Senior Staff Association of Banks, Insurance and Allied Insitutions said all workers must belong to the working class.
The Director- General of the National Pension Commission, Alhaji Mohammed K. Ahmed said he was aware that workers have become restive as a result of the bill . He cited a company where workers locked up the managing director of their company and demanded that they be issued cheques for the grautity and the managing director had to oblige them.
He assured that as long as salaries are paid, public servants are assured of their pension because “it is going to be deducted from source”.
The DG said he was aware that workers with existing private schemes which are efficient are worried. He disclosed that he intends to present to the board a proposal which could allow workers with Provident Funds to continue with it, “ if it means bening backwards to reflect our anxieties”. This he said, the Commisison could do, as long as it does not conflict with the provisions of the Pension Act 2004.
Participants including the experts could not say how the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, would fund its added responsibility of social insurance for every citizen.
