By 
The union of staff of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) under the aegis of Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) have petitioned the office of the Head of Service.
The petition signed by Bala f. Tijani, President, ASBIFI, Abdulkadir Isa, General Secretary, ASBIFI, Opeoluwa Ogunfowote, Chairman, NUBIFIE, and Wenzamma Simon, Secretary, NUBIFIE and copy office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The petition reads “We write to bring to your attention a serious violation of the Public Service Rules of Nigeria committed by Management of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund. This violation pertains to the unjust demotion of staff members with three years of service – a sharp contrast to the Public Service Rules, as well as the failure to remit the deducted Pension and NHF contributions of Employees.
Over 5,000 staff of the Fund were demoted to their previous Grade Levels in an exercise expected to “adjust the structure” of the Fund but rather recruited staff mostly at Management levels in a process that fell short of all standards as provided in Section 4.5 ()i) &(i) of the Staff Condition of Service and amplified in the Public Service Rules.
Demoting staff by over three years of service without legitimate grounds is a clear breach of these rules and undermines the principles of fairness, equality, and meritocracy that are essential to the public service.
“Also going against the advice of National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission’s
advice to rectify anomalies found in Grade Level 17a and 17b operating in the Fund contravening the Grades in Civil Service. See attached (Appendix 1).
“Furthermore, we wish to draw your attention that our Management has failed to remit the pension contributions deducted from our salaries for over 2 years. This act not only violates the provisions of the Pension Reform Act [Sec 11(5-7)], but it also jeopardizes the financial security and future well-
being of employees. The gravity of this offence attracts a penalty and we seek its application as Section 11 (6) of the Pension Reforms Act 2004 states that “any employer who fails to remit the contributions within the time prescribed shall, in addition to making the remittance already due, be liable to a penalty to be stipulated by the commission.
“We believe that such actions are detrimental to the morale, motivation, and overall performance of the Employees, and they reflect a disregard for the welfare and rights of public servants.
“NSITF if properly managed, has the potential to bridge the gap between government at the center and indigent Nigerians in ungoverned spaces thereby driving down government impact to the nooks and crannies of the country. It should be the safety net for injured Employees, Senior citizens, the unemployed and even under-employed going by the Social Security provisions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
“We, therefore, request that you direct the relevant authorities to investigate these issues and take appropriate actions to salvage the situation. On:
1. STAFF DEMOTION: Conduct a thorough investigation into the demotion of staff members with three years of service, reverse this illegality, ensure compliance with the provisions of the Public Service Rules and penalize those responsible for this violation.
2.UNREMITTED PENSION: Enforce the remittance of all outstanding pension contributions that have been deducted from the salaries of the affected Employees.
Support the Pension Commission to impose appropriate sanctions on the Management of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund for their failure to comply with the provisions of the Publin Service Rules and the Pension Reform Act.
3. NHF DEDUCTIONS: Ensure that, all unremitted deductions for this purpose spanning over 10 years are made to the respective accounts of staff so they can assess the numerous housing packages offered to contributors.
4. RECRUITMENTS: Revisit the recent recruitments made, review the shortfalls and correct the violations because most staff have been issued letters demanding that they stay on same rank for 6 years before qualifying for promotion exams.
5. PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF REVIEW SALARY: Executive Management of the Fund had implemented their revised salaries in full leaving staff with partial implementation. Staff are the foot soldiers, that generate these monies and therefore, see a commensurate review too.
6. Implement measures to prevent such violations from occurring in the future and promote a fair and conducive work environment for all public servants.
Please note that the Union has exhausted all Industrial Relations tools in a diplomatic manner but to no avail. We trust that you will address these issues with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.
“It is imperative that justice is served, and the rights of the affected Employees are protected.
“We have full confidence in the commitment of the Head of Civil Service to upholding the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability in the public service”.
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