NIMC Crisis: Workers demand sack of union’s caretaker committee over illegal recruitments, un-remitted pension deduction

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) workers have demanded immediate dissolution of their union’s caretaker committee; over their failure to confront their management over illegal recruitments, un-remitted monthly pension deducted from their salaries and lopsided promotion in the commission.

While calling for the dissolution of the caretaker committee, the workers, under the auspices of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), asked the leadership of the association to conduct a proper unit election within three months.

The workers insisted that the crisis in NIMC can only be resolved if election is organised and elected officials, who will genuinely represent the interest of the workers were put in place.

Already, the workers have written the leadership of the ASCSN, and copied the Minister of Labour, the Presidents of Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), as well as the Chairman of the Board of NIMC; intimating them of their position.

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In a letter signed on behalf of the aggrieved workers by Asekokhai Lucky, they accused the caretaker committee, led by Kehinde Aigbokhai James, of mis-informing both the ASCSN leadership and NIMC management about the state of their welfare and the reasons for their outcry.

The letter read: “You may recall that we have written several letters and even paid visits to the union office, expressing our grievances, we will lik to inform you that our grievances are not unfounded. The present caretaker committee in NIMC has been insensitive to matters affecting our well being. They have also failed to promote the objective of the constitution of the ASCSN as enshrined in rule 2 of the constitution.”

Highlighting their grievances, the workers said the caretaker committee has failed to put the NIMC management to action to remitting their pension, alleging that for over four years, their pensions were continually deducted monthly but not remitted and the committee did nothing.

They also stated that the 28 days allowance has not been paid to deserving staff, while the caretaker committee has also failed to adequately address issues of illegal recruitments in the commission.

According to the letter, the committee has also failed to address the issue of lopsided promotion, reductions in their monthly special allowances approved by the NIMC Board in 2014 and in many other ways.

“In short, they (caretaker committee members) have failed woefully in protecting us from the menace the management has severally meted on us and as such, they have completely and irrevocably lost our trust and confidence.” The letter said.

It further read: “Following the above. we pray that this association invokes the constitution provision and dissolve the caretaker committee immediately. We pray the association to conduct a proper unit election within three months of the dissolution of the caretaker committee.”