'Injured, sick Nigerians will be paid under new law' - Labour Minister reveals

The Federal Government, on Monday, May 15, 2023 approved the universal implementation of the Employee Compensation Act (ECA) 2010.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige made this known to journalists after an emergency council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The new law, operated by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), replaces the old Employee Compensation Act called ‘Workmen Compensation’.

Noting that the private sector had implemented the Act, Ngige stated that the public sector – federal, state and local governments – must now adopt it to protect workers.

According to the Act, the worker who is injured, had an accident, contracted a disease or disabled or died in the course of work, should be compensated.

Ngige confirmed the directive that all staff of ministries, departments and agencies should be covered with a percentage contribution.

“It is an insurance premium, one percent of remuneration. You pay it and it insures your worker against these workplace accident injuries,” he said.