The Employment and Labour Relations Ministry is pushing a motion to amend the National Pensions Act 766 passed in 2008.

The new bill under a certificate of urgency seeks to address operational and administrative challenges in relation to the first tier scheme.

This will also help to deal with the age exemption of persons joining the scheme, from 55 to 50.

Labour and Employment Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu noted that after five years of operations of the Act, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) have been confronted with several challenges,

He mentioned, for instance, the transition provision for the transfer of monies from SSNIT to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He is therefore seeking amendments to 14 Sections of Act 766, Joy News’ Elton Brobbey reported.

The Minister wants Section 55 of the Act amended to enable SSNIT 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 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.

According to Mr. Iddrisu, the amendments would not prejudice the ongoing court case between government and 12 public labour unions.

The amendments are being made in agreement with labour, he explained.