By Obioma C. Appolos
The Employee’s Compensation Act, 2010 is an Act that replaced the Workmen’s Compensation Act 2004. Modeled to be encompassing in nature, the Act makes provision for compensations for any death, injury, disease or disability arising from the course of employment; and for other related matters.
Enacted by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Act came into existence on 17th December, 2010.
The OBJECTIVES of the Act are to:
(a) provide for an Open and fair system of guaranteed 4 and adequate compensation for all employees or ‘ thelr dependants for any death, Injury, disease or disability arising out or in the course of employment;
(b) provide rehabilitation to employees with workrelated disabilities as provided in this Act;
(c) establish and maintain a solvent compensation fund managed In the interest of employees and employers;
(d) provide for fair and adequate assessments for employers:
(e) provide an appeal procedure that is simple, fair and accessible, with minimal delays; and
(f) Combine efforts and resources of relevant stakeholders for the prevention of workplace
disabilities, including the enforcement bf occupational safety and health standards.
Precisely, the SCOPE of the Act stated thus:
This Act shall apply to all employers and employees in 2 the public and private sectors in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
While the APPLICATION, thus said:
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Management Board ( in this Act referred to as” the Board”) shall have power to implement this Act and the Fund Established under section 56 of this Act.
So, judging by the objectives, scope and application of the Act, a well stipulated backup/contingency plan has been laid out by the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) was statutorily given the responsibility to ensure that all workers in public and private workplace across the country enjoy the benefits therein, especially since it is for the common good of not the employees alone but the employers, too.
From TheLabourngr.com editorial desk, we hope you have been informed.
