ASSBIFI, NSITF unit petition HoS over gross violation of Public Service Rules, demotion of staff among others

…says over 5,000 staff were demoted

The Association of Senior Staff of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions, ASSBIFI, NSITF domestic unit has petitioned the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation over gross violation of Public Service Rules, demotion of staff, unremitted pension and housing fund by its management.

TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a petition signed by officers of both ASSBIFI, NUBIFIE, President, Bala Tijani, General Secretary, Abdullahi Isa, Chairman, Opeoluwa Ogunfowote and Secretary , Wenzamma Simon.

In the petition the unions stated that: “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 (j)(i) &(il) 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.

“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 atiracts 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.

To this end the following demands were made:”STAFF DEMOTION: Conduct a thorough investigation into the demotion of staff members with three years of service, reverse this legality, ensure compliance with the provisions of the Public Service Rules and penalize those responsible for tis violation.

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
Pubs Service Rules and the Pension Reform Act, 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.

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.

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.

. Implement measures to prevent such violations from occuring 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.

“Its 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
fairess, transparency, and accountability in the public service.

Read full petition below:

ASSOCIATION OF SENIOR STAFF OF BANKS,
INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
(NSITF DOMESTIC UNIT)

NIGERIA Plot 794, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja

20% June, 2013
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation
Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase Il,
Shehu Shagari Way,

Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

Sir, 3
PETITION TO INVESTIGATE THE GROSS VIOLATION OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE RULES,
DEMOTION OF STAFF, UNREMMITTED PENSION AND NATIONAL HOUSING FUND
DEDUCTIONS FROM STAFF OF NIGERIA SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND (NSITF)

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 (j)(i) &(il) 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 faimess, 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 I).

Furthermore, we wish to draw your attention that our Management hes 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 atiracts 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. See attached (Appendix
1h.

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 ungovened 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:

. STAFF DEMOTION: Conduct a thorough investigation into the demotion of staff members with
three years of service, reverse this legality, ensure compliance with the provisions of the Public
Service Rules and penalize those responsible for tis violation.
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
Pubs Service Rules and the Pension Reform Act,
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
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.
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.
. Implement measures to prevent such violations from occuring 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.
Its 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
fairess, transparency, and accountability in the public service.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to a prompt resolution and your decisive
action in ensuring that justice is served.