The National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos Council will commence enforcement operations against employers that fail to remit workers’ pension contributions under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) from June 1.

Chairperson of the NLC Lagos Council, Funmi Sesi, disclosed this after an interactive session organised by PenCom in Lagos on Tuesday. The session focused on educating labour leaders on the workings of the Contributory Pension Scheme and compliance obligations under the Pension Reform Act.

Sesi condemned the continued failure of some government agencies and private sector employers to remit pension deductions to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs). “It is unacceptable that in spite of monthly deductions from workers’ salaries, some employers deliberately fail to remit the funds,” she said.

She described the practice as a violation of labour laws that threatens workers’ financial security after retirement. “The non-remittance of pension contributions constitutes a gross violation of labour laws and abuse of workers’ trust,” Sesi stated.

“If we need to purchase locks and keys just to ensure compliance and enforcement, we will apply that. We are the voice for the voiceless, the power for workers and the last hope of workers and pensioners,” she added.

Sesi warned that the NLC would mobilise affiliate unions against defaulting employers and pursue enforcement actions where necessary.

The planned enforcement follows growing complaints from workers across Lagos over employers deducting pension contributions without remitting them to PFAs. According to the NLC, complaints have been received from workers in both public and private establishments.