THE management of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has assured the public, that, despite the anxiety surrounding the COVID -19 pandemic, its staff is working beyond the normal hours of duty, in order that its pensioners can uplift their monies on Monday, April 6, 2020, the date designated for the April payment.

General Manager, Ms Holly Greaves, in an invited comment, told the Guyana Chronicle, the NIS administration is cognisant that a great majority of its pensioners depend on the monies to meet their financial requirements, and, in some instances, it is the only source of income for some of those people.

It is as a result of this, she applauded the commitment of the staff who, despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, have remained resolute to their task. “We continue to hear of the provisions being granted to staff of some ministries and other agencies, but the staff continue to report for work dutifully because they are aware of the importance of money for everyone,” she added.

Meanwhile, due to the coronavirus outbreak, the NIS as a precautionary measure, has suspended indefinitely the distribution of snacks to the pensioners, while they await to collect their monies. Instead, each pensioner will be given a bottle of water, Public Relations Officer, Ms Dianne Lewis-Baxter-Dennis has advised.

She noted that security at all of the payment offices will be beefed up, as doors will be opened promptly at 06:00hrs in an effort to alleviate the expected build-up.

In January, this year, the NIS announced an increase in the minimum rates for Old Age and Invalidity Pensions from $32, 100 to $35, 000 per month, with the minimum rate for Survivors’ Pension elevated from $16, 050 to $17, 500 per month.

The January 2020 increase did not cater for the NIS pensioners who are above the minimum wage. However, in late February, the NIS announced a four percent increase for persons falling under that category, effective from March 01, 2020.

Also, the NIS recently announced that it has put in place a number of measures to ensure that visitors and others are protected, as part of the measures to combat the coronavirus.
The measures which became effective on March 22, 2020, include limiting access to NIS Offices to persons encashing vouchers and those paying contributions, are in keeping with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for social distancing.
Persons seeking to access NIS records for information on their contributions can do so online [www.nis.org.gy]; via the company’s live-chat platform, email address [records_queries@nis.org.gy] or Telephone Numbers 226-8059 or 225-2798.

Others are asked to place all requests for change or correction to names, along with supporting documents at strategic points at the entrances of NIS office.

The signing of Life Certificates for pensioners by NIS officers has been suspended until further notice. In the interim, this process can be done by a Justice of Peace, Notary Public, Minister of Religion, medical practitioner, headteacher, manager of a bank or branch of a bank with the requisite designation stamp affixed.