The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly rejected a new bill proposed by the National Assembly, calling it a “declaration of war” on workers.
The bill seeks to replace the current Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) with a new Nigeria Social Security Trust Fund (NSSTF).
In a petition, NLC President Joe Ajaero accused lawmakers of trying to seize control of workers’ funds. He said the proposed law would remove the equal representation that government, employers, and labour unions currently have in managing the fund. Instead, a government-dominated board would take over, which the NLC fears would turn the fund into a “political slush fund.”
The NLC has threatened to issue a national directive for workers to stop all payments to the fund if the National Assembly proceeds with the bill. This stance is supported by the Organised Private Sector (OPSN), which also recently condemned the planned changes.
The labour union is demanding the Senate abandon the bill immediately and focus on passing other long-delayed labour laws.
