By Amin Kef Sesay
On the 13th April 2021, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), the Independent Media Commission (IMC) and the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) held a joint workshop for Newspaper Editors, Station Managers, Owners of Media Houses and Media Stakeholders on “Compliance with Payment of Salaries and NASSIT Contributions”. It was held at the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) Hall in Freetown.
Dr. Victor Suma of the IMC informed that similar engagements have been held in the provinces and they are now wrapping it up in Freetown geared towards elucidating the need for media owners to pay NASSIT contributions and decent salaries for as well as to those in their employ.
On his part, the Chairman of IMC, George Khoryama, stated that it is indeed welcoming that the repeal of Part V of the 1965 Public Order Act, which criminalized libel and slander, was successfully done going further to extend appreciation to all those who meaningfully contributed to make such come to fruition.
He said it is common knowledge that there are some media owners that are reluctant to pay taxes as mandated for as well as decent salaries to their employees further underscoring that those days are now over.
The Chairman said with the new IMC Act of 2020 it could be difficult for media owners to continue with business as usual as the Act makes it mandatory to adhere to statutory obligations, one of which is payment of withholding taxes to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and pay NASSIT contributions for its employees.
He highlighted that the reluctance on the part of some media owners to pay their employees decent salaries is all the more reason why we sometimes see recklessness in the way these media houses perform emphasizing that it is indeed a recipe for blackmail and gutter journalism. He expressed hope that after the workshop media owners and practitioners will do the right things in order to avoid any form of impasse and to raise high the bar of journalistic professionalism. He then declared the workshop open.
In his presentation, an official of NASSIT, Mohamed Sam stated that the institution deals with a pension scheme and has the responsibility to register all employees in the country, collect fees on their behalf and make contingency payments after the fulfilment of certain conditionalities. He furthered that if employees are not registered then they will not be covered under the scheme.
“We have a collaborative relationship with other stakeholders like SLAJ and IMC to promote social security in the country,” he disclosed adding that they believe that when they come together they can do it better for the benefit of all.
He continued that it is an obligation on the part of employers under the NASSIT Act No 5 of 2001 to register all their employees with NASSIT and pay their contributions to the Trust in order to provide financial security and protection for those employees during contingencies.
The NASSIT official stated that whenever a business or any enterprise is established, as per law, within thirty days after its establishment the owner must register with NASSIT maintaining that failure to do so will be considered as an offence.
“Every employer must issue an employee with a SS1K form , which is a registration form, to be filled and return with all relevant documents required,” he intimated disclosing how there are two types of NASSIT contributions, namely statutory and voluntary.
He said 5% of the NASSIT contribution is paid by the employee and 10% paid by the employer going further to state that if the contributions are not paid on the 15th of the following month then it will attract interests and such must be paid within thirty days.
Mohamed Sam told participants that non- registration with the Trust, underpayment of NASSIT contributions and obstruction of NASSIT officials in the course of doing their work are all considered to be offences.
Commissioner Mustapha Sesay of the IMC, in his presentation, made the point that NASSIT is important to the media especially for employees who will stand to benefit from the opportunities that the scheme offers.
“There is need for partnership of mutual benefit among IMC, SLAJ and NASSIT,” he asserted suggesting that such a partnership must be strengthened.
He said there must be a regulatory compliance which, according to him, is full compliance with the NASSIT Act and regulations by registering staff as well as paying their monthly contributions.
Commissioner Mustapha also suggested that there must be awareness raising as people need to know the law, that NASSIT should live up to its mandate, there must be publicity or visibility by promoting all NASSIT investments and benefits nationwide, to promote probity by ensuring that there is transparency, accountability and value for money in the management and administration of the scheme among others.
He also recommended an impact assessment by effective monitoring as well as performance evaluation of the Trust, to ensure that the beneficiaries understand how the scheme works, affects them and their obligations.
Commissioner Francis Sowa in his brief comment admonished all to comply by fulfilling all statutory obligations also maintaining that when there is strict compliance there will be no headaches. He also prevailed on media owners to treat their employees humanely saying such will help in enhancing performance and output.
The Head of Public Relations at NASSIT, Mohamed Bangalie said Sections 28 and 43 of the NASSIT Act talks of benefits of the Trust adding that the institution’s social protection covers old age, invalidity and survivors benefits which he stated are fundamental.
Bangalie highlighted that all what the scheme is all about is to provide income replacement, pension, when a contributor’s income ceases upon attaining the retirement age of sixty years. He said for an individual to qualify for pension he or she must have contributed for 180 months , that is 15 years, revealing that if the individual reaches 55 years and retires he or she will lose 4% of the benefit.
Dilating on what causes delay in executing the payment of pensions, Bangalie said inconsistent dates of birth, incomplete documentation, failure to update members’ information, inconsistent names in the records are some of the factors responsible. He therefore used the opportunity to enjoin all to be very careful with regards the information they submit to NASSIT.
Dr. Suma of IMC, on his part, stated that it no secret that media poverty is in conflict with human dignity pointing out that resources are far from adequate. He stressed on the importance for media owners to pay their employees living salaries affirming that anything short than that will contribute to stifling the media in Sierra Leone. He also admonished media owners to honour all statutory obligations including the payment of NASSIT contributions and NRA withholding taxes.
The vote of thanks was done by the President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.
