Over Pension Benefit For Gov’t Workers: Rep. Jones Seeks NASSCORP, CSA, Finance Ministry’s Appearance

Margibi County’s district #2 Representative, Ivar K. Jones, has craved the indulgence of the plenary of the House of Representatives to invite the National Social Security Corporation (NASSCORP), the Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to inform the House of Representatives about the pension status of civil servants and other public workers.

   Speaking in session yesterday, Representative Jones quoted Article 8 of the Constitution, which states, “The Republic shall direct its policy towards ensuring for the citizens without discrimination opportunities for employment and livelihood under Just and humane conditions.” He went on to mention Chapter 22 of the Decent Work Act of 2015, which talks about social welfare, including scope of work, employers paying pension to employees, calculation and payment of retirement pension.

   “The definition of cumulative service, among other things, is being violated by some public corporations, autonomous agencies and ministries of government,” the Margibi County lawmaker asserted.

   Addressing the plenary of the House of Representatives on Thursday, March 18, 2021, Representative Jones noted that he believes that such act not only denies the workers of these institutions the just benefits but contributes to the over-staffing of those institutions, reneging on their responsibilities as enshrined in Chapter 22,1 (a) of the Decent Work Act, which says employees are required to fulfill comparable obligation under a pension scheme administered by NASSCORP, and Chapter 22,1 (c).

  The Margibi County district #2 lawmaker intimated that, as mandated by the Decent Work Act of 2015, the repeal of Decree No. 14 of the People’s Redemption Council of the Armed forces of Liberia was successful, thus enabling the passage of a new chapter 89 of the Executive Law establishing the National Social Security and Welfare Cooperation of the Republic of Liberia.

   “For specific respect to employees, to whom this ACT applies, shall not exempt the employer of such employees from the provision of this chapter; rather, the employer shall, as if a date be established by the Director General, duduct the contributions at the rate herein,” Representative Jones asserted.

   However, a motion was made by Nimba County’s district#7 Representative, Roger Domah that the communication be turned to the committees on State Enterprise, Public Account and Labor to report to plenary in two weeks.