Experts Hails Jonathan On Employee Compensation Act

The Chief Economist of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Peter Ozo’Eson, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for signing the Employee Compensation Act.

   Ozo’Eson told newsmen  in Abuja that the law would improve the conditions and safety of workers as well as enhance the framework of mandatory compensation for them in times of mishap.

Jonathan signed the Act into law on Monday.

  “It is also a type of compensation that workers are entitled to in line with best international practices within the framework of International Labour Organisation guidelines.

“I think this is something positive and Mr President has accented to it and it is now a law,” Ozo’Eson said.

Ozo’Eson also called on the president to quicken the passage of the new minimum wage bill.

“The nation is waiting for the implementation of the minimum wage which has just been sent to the National Assembly.

“We are urging Mr President to act on this bill as fast as possible.

“We will give him a standing ovation only if he signs into law the new minimum wage as we are actually anxious about it,’’ he added.

The main objective of Employee Compensation Act is to provide a more open and fair system of guaranteed and adequate compensation for all employees or their dependants for any death, injury, disease or disability arising out of or in the course of employment.

It also provides for the establishment and maintenance of a solvent compensation fund managed in the interest of employees and employers.