NSITF, NDPC collaborate on protection of workers’ data

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) are partnering to promote workers’ welfare and data safety.

The two agencies said they have agreed to work together for the promotion of the welfare of Nigerian workers and the protection of the digital privacy of Nigerians at an inter-agency parley held in Abuja.

The Managing Director of NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, while welcoming the NDPC team led by its National Commissioner, Dr Vincent Olatunji, proposed a mutually beneficial collaboration.

The MD stressed the need for compliance with the Data Safety Act 2023, through the appointment of a data safety officer and capacity building.

He said the Fund recognised the need to comply with the law and put in place necessary steps to protect data that they have entrusted in their care.

However, Faleye said, as the Fund complies with the NDPA guidelines, the NPDC should also comply with the Employee Compensation Act 2010 by enrolling its staff in the Employee Compensation Scheme (ECS).

He said: “As we try to comply with your regulations, we also like your organisation to comply with our mandates.”

He stated that the Fund could train the Commission staff on health and safety in the workplace in exchange for capacity-building training on data safety for NSITF staff.

Faleye expressed optimism that a certificate of data safety from the Commission would engender trust from the Fund’s stakeholders, and went further to propose a joint advocacy and awareness campaign by both agencies to promote their respective mandates.

In his keynote address, the MD asserted that the evolving workplace environment required proactive measures against mere compliance to ensure the safety of workers.

“That is why this programme introduces automated Occupational Safety and Health strategies, tools and systems that will not only elevate productivity but also save lives,” he said.

the significance of the training, the NSITF MD said the programme signposted the bold steps the NSITF is taking as an institution towards safer, smarter and more sustainable workplaces.

He revealed that the Fund had already digitised its operations, stating that the training was to ensure stakeholders were not left behind.

Faleye, who was represented by the General Manager, Health Safety and Environment Department of the Fund, Tony Eke, further said that the training was an initiative that speaks to the very heart of NSITF’s commitment to protect, preserve and promote the dignity and well-being of every Nigerian worker.

The training, organised in conjunction with Beam Box Projects and Consulting Services Limited, ran for four days and is one in a trilogy of trainings sponsored by the Fund.

Source: Guardian Nigeria | Continue to Full Story…