Too many Barbadians are abusing the sick leave and disability benefits provided by the National Insurance Scheme. (NIS).
That view was expressed by the Director of the NIS Ian Carrington yesterday evening, who also said that Barbados had the highest sickness rate in the region when compared to some other countries .
“Over the last 10 years, the average rate was 560 per 1000 people, compare that to the Bahamas where the rate was 153 per 1000, Grenada at 175 per 1000 and St.Kitts which is 201 per 1000 says Carrington.
“Look at these statistics and then ask if we do not have a problem, I would also assert that after I spoke about this issue in 2004,there was some decline and there was a steady rate at 500 per 1000 but that was still the worst record in the region”added Carrington.
The outspoken Carrington also said that too many workers were abusing their sick leave and claimed that people were apply for sick leave and going to Trinidad for carnival or studying for examinations.
His comments came on the second day of the National Productivity Council’s Week of Excellence.
