The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, (NSITF), has taken the sensitization campaign for enrollment of workers in the informal sector of the Nigerian economy on the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) to industrial city of Nnewi in Anambra State.
The campaign, led by the Fund’s Managing Director and Chief Executive, Barrister Olúwaṣeun Mayomi Faleye, took off on Thursday, with a sensitization workshop for stakeholders in the informal sector.
Present at the event were the representative of Governor Charles Soludo, the member representing Nnewi South/Nnewi North/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Honourable Peter Uzokwe, member representing Anambra East/West Federal Constituency, Honourable Peter Aniekwe, leaders of various trade associations and other stakeholders.
Speaking to the Workshop theme of _Extending the Employees’ Compensation Scheme to the Informal Economy_ , in his keynote address, the Managing Director of NSITF highlighted the significance of the informal sector economy which he said employed about 80% of national workforce.
“Across Nigeria, nearly 80% of our workforce is engaged in the informal sector, which contributes a substantial amount to our national Productivity.” He stated.
The NSITF boss, however, lamented that countless number of these workers, traders, and artisans were not covered by the safety net. “If a trader gets injured or an Okada rider suffers an accidents who supports them? For too long the answer has been no one”
Barrister Faleye proceeded to explain that the ECS provided protection, support, and compensation for workers and their dependants in situation of work-related injuries, diseases, disabilities, and deaths.
“The aim of the campaign is to ensure no worker is left behind in the drive to secure the future of Nigerian workers and their families. Social protection shouldn’t be for office workers alone. It is for all workers ” He urged participants to enroll and help disseminate the message.
In his Goodwill message, Honourable Peter Uzokwe called for better funding for NSITF to “withstand the pressure of what the Fund is doing for Nigerians.” He enjoined the participants to embrace the ECS.
Also speaking at the event, Honourable Aniekwe representing Anambra East/West Federal Constituency commended the Managing Director for his commitment to repositioning the Fund as he urged his constituents to avail themselves of the numerous benefits of the ECS.
Other speakers at the workshop, including The Executive Director Operation of the Fund, Rt. Honourable Mojisolaoluwa Alli- Macaulay who was represented by the General Manager, HSE Department, Regional Manager for NSITF Enugu, Dr. Emeka Offor, the General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs Nkiru Ogunnaiki, and the General Manager Informal Economy, Mrs Chikamadu Onyewuchi all stressed the importance of the informal economy to the overall national economy and the need to ensure universal social protection coverage .
