Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) don beg Federal Government make dem raise the amount wey workers fit withdraw from their Retirement Savings Account (RSA) from 25% go 50%, say life don hard well-well for Nigerian workers.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, yarn this one on Thursday for Abuja during meeting wey dem hold with National Pension Commission (PenCom) people. The meeting theme na “Consolidating the Gains of the Contributory Pension Scheme through Collaboration with Social Partners.”
Ajaero talk say if workers fit collect up to 50% of their pension, e go help dem invest for business, pay school fees, take care of health matter and manage the economic wahala wey don hit everybody.
He still complain say PenCom no get full board since, say that one dey affect transparency and slow decision making. “If the board no dey complete, how we go trust the actions wey the commission dey take?” he ask.
The labour leader come call make government fix the PenCom board complete, reform pension matter, and make PenCom use technology make retirees collect their money quick — within few weeks after dem retire.
Ajaero still suggest say NLC and PenCom suppose set up one joint committee wey go dey meet every three months to solve workers wahala and monitor reforms. He also talk make PenCom expose any Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) or employers wey no dey comply and punish dem well.
He come express concern say PenCom dey plan amend the Pension Reform Act 2014 without proper consultation with workers. He beg dem make dem carry labour join body for the process.
For her own side, PenCom Director-General, Mrs Omolola Oloworaran, praise the contributory pension scheme, say e don help many Nigerians regain confidence for retirement. She talk say PenCom don start new reform programme wey dem call Pension Revolution 2.0, wey go improve regulation and service delivery.
She add say the micro-pension scheme don change name to Personal Pension Plan, and dem go soon share more details with NLC about the planned amendment.
As inflation and cost of living dey rise, NLC say the new demand go help Nigerian workers breathe small and reduce financial pressure.
