Labour Ministry clarifies check-off dues jurisdiction for pensioners’ unions

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has issued fresh guidance on the long-standing controversy surrounding the deduction and remittance of check-off dues for pensioners’ unions, clarifying the jurisdictional boundaries of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN).

The clarification was contained in an official letter addressed to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), a copy of which was obtained by journalists in Abuja.

In the correspondence, the Ministry stated that it was formally notifying PTAD of its position on the appropriate assignment of jurisdictional scope for the two pensioners’ unions in line with existing labour laws and regulations.

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The letter explained that the decision followed a review undertaken as part of the Ministry’s statutory responsibility to ensure clarity, industrial harmony, and effective administration of trade union activities.

The document, signed by Falonipe Amos O., Director of Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations, on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Employment, recalled that the Ministry had already communicated its decision on the regrouping and jurisdictional definition of the unions and advised PTAD to be guided accordingly.

According to the clarification, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners is recognised as the umbrella body for all pensioners from the Civil Service of the Federation, including those from local governments and educational institutions under federal responsibility, provided they are beneficiaries of the old Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

On the other hand, FEPPPAN’s jurisdiction was outlined to cover retirees from federal government parastatals, federal establishments that have been privatised, and private sector organisations, also under the Defined Benefit Scheme.

The Ministry noted that FEPPPAN’s scope excludes federal civil servants, pensioners from state institutions and state parastatals under the old pension scheme, as well as those under the contributory pension scheme.

Based on these distinctions, the Ministry stated that check-off dues should be deducted and remitted strictly to the appropriate union in line with the defined jurisdictional boundaries.

However, the Ministry emphasised that its position does not override existing court judgments or the provisions of Section 5(3) of the Labour Act (Cap. L1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004), which grants workers the right to opt out of check-off dues arrangements voluntarily. It stressed that such an opt-out must be done individually and in writing by each affected member.

The Ministry urged PTAD to treat the letter as an official directive guiding the remittance of check-off dues in line with the clarified jurisdictional framework. It also conveyed the goodwill of the Minister of Labour and Employment.

A copy of the letter was forwarded to the General Secretary of FEPPPAN, Mr. Franklin Erinle, formally informing the association of the Ministry’s position.