Employees' Compensation Act Becomes Law

Employees' Compensation Act Becomes Law

Nigeria 's President Goodluck Jonathan has signed the new Employees' Compensation Act into law.

The new law repeals the Workmen's Compensation Act of 2004.

The Act was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives late last year.

A statement by the Presidency said the move was a step towards the fulfillment of government's promise to provide better working conditions for Nigeria 's labour force.

'' Its main objective 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 states.

The Employees' Compensation Act, 2010 provides for the establishment and maintenance of a solvent compensation fund, managed in the interest of employees and employers.

''It seeks to combine the efforts and resources of relevant stakeholders for the prevention of workplace disabilities as well as the enforcement of occupational safety and health standards, '' the statement explains.

Its provisions apply to all employers and employees in the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Management Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund is to oversee the implementation of the Act and the management of the compensation fund established under Section 56 of the Act.

NAN/Margaret/Yinka