The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said it would continue to advocate for the inclusion of retirees in the private and public sectors in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

NLC assistant general secretary Chris Onyeka said this in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

Mr Onyeka noted that the new health insurance bill signed into law on May 19, 2022, sought universal health insurance coverage, saying, “It, therefore, meant everybody was covered, including retirees.”

According to him, if such an act is in place and operational, then the issue of health insurance for retirees would have been laid to rest because there is a framework already in place that captures them.

“That is the dream of every trade union leader: to ensure that everybody gets coverage; so, it is one thing to make law; it is another thing to operationalise it. The problem we have now is that of operationalising it, especially funding the scheme itself, which has to be worked out,” stated Mr Onyeka.

The NLC chieftain added, “Although it is also included in the law how the scheme will be funded, it has not become fully operational. Therefore, as trade unions, we will have to continue advocating and pushing for the implementation of the universal health insurance scheme.

“Also, we will advocate a targeted health insurance scheme for pensioners or retirees: that is also part of our responsibility. Trade unions exist to articulate, protect, and project the rights and privileges of workers wherever they may be.”

The labour leader, however, said what was key was the issue of improved social security and protection for retirees.

According to him, a robust social protection system will also guarantee greater access for pensioners to health benefits.

“It is all about protecting the vulnerable. In the private sector, they have more pensioners or retirees who are covered after retirement. We will continue our advocacy outreach to ensure they are included in the health insurance scheme,” said Mr Onyeka.

(NAN)