Members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) at the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have staged a peaceful picketing exercise, protesting alleged unfair labour practices and the neglect of staff welfare by the commission’s management.
The protest, held on Monday, was led by the ASCSN NAICOM unit. Workers accused management of failing to honour existing agreements and directives issued by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, despite multiple rounds of engagement.
Speaking during the exercise, the Chairman of the union’s NAICOM unit, Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha, said the situation had significantly eroded trust between employees and management.
“The refusal to implement agreed welfare and administrative reforms has eroded trust between staff and management,” Mustapha said, adding that workers would continue to press for compliance with labour policies and equitable treatment.
The union urged the commission’s management to return to the negotiation table and resolve the issues amicably, warning that the agitation would persist until its demands are fully addressed.
As part of the protest, the workers presented a 25-point list of demands spanning a broad range of employment and workplace concerns. These include delayed promotions, the alleged selective implementation of policies, staff transfers, limited access to training opportunities, and inadequate welfare packages.
The union is calling for the immediate promotion of eligible staff, more transparent recruitment and promotion processes, and an end to what it described as “vindictive transfers”.
Workers also demanded improved access to training and career development opportunities, alongside the equitable application of workplace policies across all staff cadres.
In addition, the union raised concerns over alleged preferential treatment in the allocation of allowances and car grants, urging management to ensure fairness and strict adherence to established guidelines.
Other demands include the implementation of monetisation policies, a thorough review of internal administrative processes, and greater inclusion of staff in key institutional activities.
The workers further highlighted concerns about working conditions in zonal offices, security challenges at the commission’s headquarters following reported theft incidents, and the need for the prompt payment of outstanding allowances and rent advances.
The protest underscores growing tensions between staff and management at the commission, with the union signalling sustained pressure until concrete steps are taken to address the issues.
