By Ajibola Adedoye
Director)
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has called for a common taskforce with the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) to insure all casual workers in the sector are covered by the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS).
NSITF Managing Director Oluwaseun Faleye made the call at the 68th Annual General Meeting of the Federation on Thursday in Abuja.
Falaye expressed dismay over the situation of thousands of casual workers in the construction assiduity where they were left outside the content of the ECS with the attendant consequence of abandonment in the event of plant accidents or death.
He described it as a anti-worker situation, which posed a huge threat to the foundation of safety in the world of work.
“I want to bring your attention to an issue that requires our immediate and collaborative action, and that’s the content of casual workers under the ECS.
“Presently, our practice ensures that contract staff are covered by the ECS; but what about our casual workers?
“These individualities face the same pitfalls, breathe the same dust, and contribute inversely to the progress of our systems, yet, they stand outside the defensive marquee of our scheme.
“This difference is not just illegal; it’s a threat to the veritably foundations of safety we are trying to build,“ he said.
The MD described the ECS as a safety net and springboard, fostering a culture of plant responsibility while encouraging stylish practices in occupational health.
Faleye charged all construction companies to ameliorate the safety and health norms of their workers, saying that the unenviable record of preventable plant accidents in the sector can not be ignored.
“The construction sector, along with manufacturing, has historically held an unenviable record of preventable work accidents in Nigeria.
“This is a stark reality we can no longer ignore; our records at NSITF show that a disproportionate number of our interventions for accident victims and work-related losses come from these sectors,“ he said.
For your Press Conferences/ Adverts/Media Consultancy/Support
Contact the Editor via WhatsApp +2349097600508/+2348032339384 or Email: news@dailyinsight.com.ng & shinaayo110@gmail.com