The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has been urged to inaugurate the board of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to curb corruption and protect workers’ benefits.
Mrs Oyinkan Olasanoye, the President, Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), made the appeal on Tuesday in Lagos at an interactive session with the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN).
The session is part of activities marking ASSBIFI’s 40th anniversary.
Olasanoye said the union was being pressured to embark on industrial action to press home its demand concerning NSITF but it opted for negotiations and dialogue instead.
According to her, strike by banks will affect the nation’s economy negatively.
“We believe in collective bargaining and will not allow anything to becloud our judgment because workers benefits are being entrusted to NSITF,” she said.
ASBIFFI president restated the union’s resolve not to allow NSITF to die.
“We appeal to the minister like we have been appealing that there should be a board in NSITF.
“The Act that put NSITF in place states that there should be a board and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour should represent the minister.
“So if there had been a permanent secretary, and a board had been put in place, and the minister should not say there are corrupt practices in the organisation when he has a representative there.
“We do not think that it is now that he is refusing to inaugurate the board that there will be no corrupt practices there. We feel the more people are there, the better,” she said. (NAN)
