Bridgetown.
Government is examining new legislation to help collect monies owed to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Social Security Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo during a debate on the National Insurance and Social Security Bill 2013 in the Senate yesterday.
The Minister said this decision was made after the NIS entered into arrangements with businesses and people who still refuse to honour the agreements.
Byer- Suckoo says government instituted a waiver between Aug16th and the end of 2011 for which only 55 companies applied.
According to Byer-Suckoo, several businesses have enquired about an extension or a similar programme which is being considered.
However she insists government is intent on collecting arrears even if it means publishing a list of delinquent employers.
Independent Senator Tony Marshall suggested that the government should forgive the debt of National Insurance Scheme's defaulters up to 2011 and then give them six months to pay the balance.
Marshall a former chairman of the NIS, also called for the department to be immunized from politics and operated in a similar way to the Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the Financial Services Commission.
“It is not a department for social benefits. It is a pension fund and if it is a pension fund it should not have an overdose of political flavour and ingredient”, Marshall said.
You must be logged in to post a comment.