The Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, has urged relevant government authorities and other employers of labour to give greater attention to the welfare and protection of workers through such programmes as the Employee Compensation Scheme ECS.
The monarch made the call while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) who paid him a courtesy call at the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat in Yenagoa.
King Dakolo said that workers can only fully benefit from existing social protection schemes when employers are committed to their responsibility such as corporate registration and strict adherence to policies that guide such opportunities.
He noted that despite the availability of welfare programmes, lack of employer participation often limits their effectiveness as some official protocols must be done by employers to qualify staff for such benefits.
Commending the NSITF for its efforts in promoting social security and workers’ protection across the country, the royal father observed that the successful enrolment of Bayelsa State civil servants in the scheme largely depends on the state government, particularly the Office of the Head of Service.
He however expressed concern over the proliferation of insurance and social security programmes in Nigeria, calling for better coordination and the establishment of a national framework to harmonise overlapping schemes in order to enhance efficiency and impact.
Earlier, the NSITF delegation, led by its Branch Manager, Mr. Muke Walter, explained that the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) is a social security initiative established under the Employees’ Compensation Act of 2010 to provide compensation for workers who suffer injuries, occupational diseases, mental stress, or death in the course of employment.
He noted that the ECS covers employees in both the public and private sectors and offers benefits such as medical care, rehabilitation, vocational training, provision of prosthetic devices, and financial support for dependants in cases of death.
He added that the scheme operates on a no-fault basis, meaning compensation is paid regardless of who is responsible for the incident, and that employees are not required to make any financial contributions.
The NSITF team called on traditional institutions, private sector employers, and government agencies in Bayelsa State to register their organisations and employees under the scheme to ensure adequate social security and protection.
Members of the delegation included Principal Manager Filatei Diete; Principal Manager, SERVICOM, Bolatito Folaranmi; and Senior Supervisor Otobele Fredrick.
GLA/HSE/
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