Parliament has voted to amend the country’s pension laws despite concerns from the NPP minority that the amendments will prejudice the ongoing legal battle over management of the tier two pension funds.

Labour and Government are locked in a legal tussle over the matter and Minority spokesperson on legal, constitutional and parliamentary affairs, Joe Osei Wusu warned the move could undermine the authority of the court.

But under a certificate of urgency on Wednesday, government managed to force through amendments to some Sections of the Pensions Act 2008, Acts 766.

Meanwhile, Employment and Labour Relations Minister Haruna Iddrisu told Parliament the amendments would not in any way prejudice the matter in court. The ministry, he said, will go back to the House to propose a “comprehensive review” of Act 766 after the Supreme Court has ruled.

Joy News’ parliamentary correspondent Elton John Brobbey said the bill went through all consideration stages and Members of Parliament voted unanimously for it.

With the amendment of Section 55 of the Act, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) would be able to charge administrative expenses incurred in the transfer of the two and half percent centrum of the SSNIT contribution to the NHIS.

Under the amendments, SSNIT will also be given the power to prosecute employers who fail to pay contributions of their workers. Also, there would be a reintroduction of the payment of immigration benefits to encourage expatriates to enrol onto the first tier scheme.

The age of persons exempted from joining the scheme was moved from 55 to 50.

The TUC Secretary General, Kofi Asamoah told Joy FM’s Top Story how the amendments were rushed through was disturbing to both labour and employers.

 “The way it came was a bit disturbing, no matter how well the intention, we labour felt a bit bad about it and I think employers feel the same, because there was no consultation process between the social partners – employers, labour as well as government…but the principle is that we don’t rush a law like this which is of utmost concern to the social partners.”

Vice Chairman of the Employment and Social Welfare Committee of Parliament who is also the MP for Saboba, Joseph Nikpe Bukari said when the committee got the referral from government, it also received a proposed amendment from organized labour.

“That suggested to us that they were in line with what government was doing. They didn’t actually indicate to us that they were not in favour, rather they sent a proposed amendment to us so we also decided to go through to consider even the proposed amendment they brought to us.”

Come January 2015, some workers would be going on leave so without the amendments it would be very difficult for government to pay their lump sum from the tier two pension benefits, Mr. Bukari explained why the bill was brought under a certificate of urgency.