Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
PRIME MINISTER Portia Simpson Miller on Tuesday issued a strong warning to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to ensure that there is strict monitoring of delinquent employers of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
The Prime Minister, who was addressing the NIS 40th anniversary long service awards luncheon at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston, said that far too often many pensioners have been given the news that no money was paid over to the scheme by employers.
LEGAL ACTION
"The NIS compliance officers are also encouraged to continue strict monitoring of delinquent employers, including initiating legal action where required to recover arrears in contribution payments, don't allow anybody to sweet talk you!" she said.
In the meantime, Mrs. Simpson Miller also appealed to employers of domestic workers to make sure that they are registered under the scheme and that their contributions are paid over.
"And minister (Derrick Kellier) this is one area you will have to pay particular attention to as well because when their contributions are not paid over and it is retirement and there is a problem and they visit the ministry, when they are told 'you are not pensionable, nothing was paid for you', you can imagine," she said.
SCHOLARSHIP
"Not only that person breaking down but the staff who has to pass on the information, the kind of trauma and I ask that it be dealt with," she said.
The Prime Minister also announced the establishment of a scholarship in recognition of the 40 successful years of the NIS. The scholarship will be named for the late Lynden Newland, a former Minister of Labour and National Insurance.
The scholarship will be in the sum of $750,000 and will be awarded to a contributor or child of a contributor to pursue studies at the undergraduate level in the areas of social work or social policy at any of the country's three universities.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security also recognised some 53 persons for their 30 to 40 years of service to the NIS.
Among the recipients were Elaine Barker, Linnette McKenzie, Deloris Leslie and Elaine Emmanuel, who were awarded for their 40 years of service to the scheme.
