Workers Compensation Sachem: NSITF Settles 65,923 Cases-MD
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), a government agency established to among others provide for an open and fair system of guaranteed and adequate compensation for all employees or their dependents in the course of employment has processed and paid 65,923 persons with cases of disability.
The highlight of the claims include Medical Expenses Refund paid to 7,293 employers, loss of productivity to 2,690 employers, death benefits to beneficiaries of 23,535 deceased employees and disability benefits to 29,018 to disabled employees.
Others are retirement benefits to 3,314 employees, further medical treatment abroad to 11 employees and 60 prostheses and rehabilitation.
Managing Director of NSITF, Michael Akabogu , who disclosed this at the NSIFT Special Day Service Delivery at just concluded Lagos International Trade Fair , also disclosed that the highest monthly dependent benefits to beneficiaries of deceased employees range between N1,348,886.48 and N1,584,794.98, while the highest monthly disability benefits to disabled employees range between N281,548.31 and N791,609,17.
Akabogu ,who represented at the event by Abdul-Lateef Musa, a Regional Manager of NSITF , said the agency a proactive and employee dedicated government institution committed to the welfare of employees in the event of work related accidents and injuries has lived up the mandate and mission for its establishment.
The NSIFT boss said: “We are very proud of our achievements and the increased public awareness and employers’ interactive sessions. Presently, an enlightenment programme as organised by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund is on-going on employers developing and emplacing the culture of Safety and Health in their workplace and our role in ensuring that culture in emplaced in Nigeria.
“We are aware that the LCCI has the best interest in employers at heart. Connecting these businesses with the aim of creating value to both the economy/nation and employers will in the long run improve/benefit employees’ welfare and that is we the NSITF is committed to.. For, a fact , that has been the driving force in our service delivery.”
He said that NSITF was at the trade Fair for the exposition of the Employee Compensation Scheme ( ECS) and its numerous benefits to all employers and employees in the public/private , the formal and informal sectors.
He therefore enjoined all employers of labour in the organised private sector , ministries, department and agencies that are yet to enrol into the scheme to do so.
“As we all know, the world is now a global village and social media platforms have also become a part of business , hence we have engaged these social media platforms as well,” said Akabogu.
All these , he said , “are geared in ensuring the improvement of the delivery of our services and for our stakeholders to maximise benefits.
Over the years the NSITF has evolved from a Provident Fund Scheme to a Social Insurance Scheme and, currently the Employees’ Compensation Scheme. The funding of the scheme is based on 1% of payroll of employers remitted to the Fund.
The Federal Government in its bid to cater for employees welfare in the event of work related accidents and injuries established the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund as the only Government Institution backed up by law to ensure that the Employees Compensation Scheme is adhered to by all employers of labour.
“We ensure that all employers of labour comply with the Federal Government Initiative to protect and cater for their employees in the event of work related accidents and injuries by making sure that all employers are duly registered with the fund and are up to date with their contribution and they provide safe working environments always, “ said Akabogu.