GOLDING
OPPOSITION LEADER Bruce Gold-ing has expressed disappointment with some trade union leaders' endorsement of the Government's decision to use $1 billion from the National Insurance Fund (NIF) to support loans for small and medium-sized enterprises.
"I am particularly disappointed at the gleeful endorsement of some trade union leaders and the silent acquiescence of others," Mr. Golding said while addressing a Generation 2000 (G2K) current affairs seminar last night.
The Opposition Leader said pensioners are not in a position to effectively speak for themselves and that, despite the fact that they are no longer dues-paying union members, they should not be abandoned.
Currently there are some 87,000 pensioners who are benefiting from the scheme.
In his own contribution during last night's seminar, Lambert Brown, president of the University and Allied Workers Union, said all the union leaders present were aware that the benefits were small.
Mr. Brown said however that the NIS has allowed members from the lower class to survive.
According to him, persons from that social class would want more benefits but appreciate the little they get.
Recently, Mr. Golding told the Government to keep its "sticky" fingers off poor people's money. However, Mr. Brown said yesterday: "I can't agree with the sticky finger comments and the confrontation.... It is bad politics."
The Opposition Leader told the gathering at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston that it was illegal for the Government to take funds from the NIF because Section 39 (3) of the National Insurance Act stipulates that no payment can be made from the Fund except for approved benefits, refund of contributions and administrative expenses.
