NASSIT Takes Proactive Steps
By: Bonnke Fofanah
As part of their engagement in serving their customers diligently, on Tuesday 2nd July 2024, the National Social Security Insurance Trust (NASSIT) has organized an employment and social security workshop for Leone Rock and Sub Contractors Limited at the Radisson Blu Aberdeen Freetown, on the 2nd of July 2024,
In his welcome statement, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Employment Labor and Social Security, Madam Fatmata Mustapha, who also served as the chairperson for the session, in her lovely voice, started by welcoming everyone to the workshop by stating the purpose of the workshop. She told the gathering that the seminar was organized to create awareness in the public about the current labor laws so that people would be abreast with its provisions. She added that, by urging her audience to be attentive to understand the issues that will be discussed.
In response, the Deputy Human Resource Manager of Kingho, Mr. David Zibo Konteh, applauded the strides of NASSIT and the Ministry of Employment Labor and Social Security in organizing the workshop. The Deputy HR Manager, Mr. Konteh, continued by giving special thanks to the Minister of Employment Labor and Social Security for his recent visit to their mining site in Tonkolili. According to him, it was a great honor for their company. He went on by saying that the commitment of the minister towards achieving excellent social security would not go unnoticed. In his view, he said that showed the government’s recognition of their contributions to the economy and labour sector. Continued with his submission, he said that they were fortunate to have a workforce that was not only skilled and talented but also diverse and inclusive. He said that their employees came from different backgrounds, giving them unique perspectives that enriched their company’s culture. Stating one of their characteristics as a company, the Deputy HR manager, Mr. Konteh, said that inclusivity had always been at the core of their activities.
Expressing appreciation to NASSIT for organizing such workshop, Mr. Konteh said that the workshop served as an opportunity for them to showcase the positive impact they had created in the lives of their employees. He said that it was a chance to demonstrate the measure they had taken to ensure fair treatment, safety, and well-being of their workforce. He said that they had strived to maintain an atmosphere where individuals feel valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Adding to his presentation, he said that he would like to acknowledge the efforts made by their HR Department and employee welfare committee in implementing various employee-centric programs. He said that the initiatives ranged from various professional development opportunities, flexible work arrangements, mentoring programs, and employee recognition schemes.
In his intelligent voice, he said, “By investing in the growth and happiness of our employees, we have created a motivated workforce that is committed to the success of this organization.”
Expressing his sincere appreciation to the Minister and the Government for their ongoing support towards labour rights and employment standards, Mr. Konteh expressed his gratitude to the Minister and the Government.
Drawing to the conclusion of his presentation, he said that as they went through the workshop, he urged everyone to take pride in their accomplishment as a company and as an individual.
“Let us highlight the strides we have made and are going to make in ensuring the welfare and growth of our workforce. Together we have built a workplace that reflects the values of compassion, equality, and respect,” he stated.
On his part, the Director General of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust, who was unavoidably absent was represented by Mr. Bola started by thanking their customers for gracing the workshop. In his brief statement, he said that NASSIT is charged with the responsibility of administering Sierra Leone’s national pension scheme. He further stated that NASSIT would seek to meet the contingency needs of workers and their dependents. He said that the scheme covered all sectors. Going further with his submission, he said that as long as there is employer-employee relation; the employers must deem it necessary to cater for the social securities of their employees. Continued with his speech, he said that the workshop was born out of the belly of the Minister of Employment Labour and Social Security engagement with various companies across the countries. He said that management sought to foster fruitful desire and trust among stationaries. Going further, the representative of NASSIT, said that there had been a seemingly communication gap among various companies regarding their processes and procedures.
He therefore punctuated the minds of his audience that the workshop was organized so that every contractor would understand their procedures and processes, especially in the aspect of members’ registration, contribution, collection, benefit payment, and compliances.
Concluding with his presentation, the representative of NASSIT said that the workshop was also a synergy for both the Ministry of Employment Labor and Social Security and the Trust on social security issues. On behalf of the entire management of NASSIT, he expressed his gratitude to all and sundry for gracing the workshop.
Representing the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Employment Labour and Social Security, the Minister of MELSS, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, started by applauding his audience for being part of the workshop. The Minister of MELSS, Mr. Swaray, said that the government through his ministry had ensured that the social security of its citizens is maintained. The minister said that they would continue to work with NASSIT and all other key stakeholders to make sure that every employee enjoyed adequate social security. Encouraging every employee to be loyal to their employers, the minister of MELSS, Mr. Swaray encouraged every employee to show prudence in their job to achieve the goal of their institutions or companies.
Moving to the technical session of the workshop, the Head of Public Affairs of NASSIT, Mr. Mohamed Bangalie, explained to the gathering about the overview of the NASSIT SCHEME.
In his brief presentation, he said that NASSIT would provide financial securities for their members at any given time of their contingencies as enshrined in the NASSIT Acts No. 5 of 2001.
Outlining the legal power of the scheme, Mr. Bangalie told the gathering that the scheme sourced its power from section 8 of Act No. 6 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
Stating the ambition of the scheme, Mr. Bangalie said that they had decided to work on ethics and excellence in the provision of social securities for their members through promoting the culture of hard work, teamwork, and excellence. He concluded his presentation by saying NASSIT would continue to protect and maintain the social securities of their members.
