IT is not unusual to see that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is lamenting their financial woes with concerns of the future of the scheme. National Insurance is an important factor in working citizens’ lives, pensioners, the ill, and the nation as a whole, even industry and commerce.

It is my opinion that the monies they fail to collect is the fault of the NIS itself, and the fact that the recent increase in penalties lacks the teeth to create fear into the set of people who steal NIS contributions, employees and their employers part, as part of their business budget.  Some employers have devised amazing methods to steal and rob the workers of their due, their life, sweat and blood for retired or sick days.

For example, we recently took over a contract with a large number of security guards, calling for between 1,300 to 1,400 personnel, some from the old system and some from the new recruitment.  Thy say they never get insurance coverage.  Less than 5% said they were covered.  We provide full NIS for every worker, casual, standby and full time, inclusive of $1M 24-hour Accidental Insurance.  Now if we pay for this number, it means the previous employer had to have paid or should have paid for the same amount of persons in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.  The same goes for the previous employer or contractor from whom we took over.  I am only asking that an investigation be done because the employees are saying they were never covered, many never had an NIS card, not even TIN, and we had to put them in order.  I think this is an excellent guide to see if it got it dues, maybe it did.

I was told the NIS goes into agreements to get paid, but I also found out that the employers hardly ever keep their part of the bargain, fool the NIS and commence getting compliances again.  I bet you if the Police was involved, or as is the right of NIS, institute private criminal proceedings against the defaulting employers, money will pour into the coffers of NIS.  There must be a level playing field.   Definitely those who steal NIS and use it as part of their budget to survive will have the capacity to tender below cost, and win tenders they do not deserve.

I am also ashamed that so many security services do not cover their employees.  It is known that one Ministry employs contractors at just $5.00 and $10.00 above the minimum wage.  How can that contractor cover his employees?  But if he took the contract it is his business.  But being unprotected for pension and illness, people will expect the Government to take them as wards of the state, creating unnecessary burden on Government.

Too many industrialists, inclusive of rice magnates have stolen the workers’ NIS and then declare bankruptcy.  The laws should be so fitted or crafted that no one steals NIS even if bankrupt.  Too many people having contributed are denied benefits, especially important pensions, when they retire. The laws need teeth; it has to include serious prison time.

There is another method of using the court system to bring NIS thieves to their knees.  Employers are mandated to collect NIS on behalf of the Corporation by law and to pay their part by law, failing which in a timely manner, they have used that money for personal benefits or gains, which is tantamount to fraud.  Use the Police to investigate for fraud against NIS thieving employers. You will see how quickly money will pour in to NIS, or if the NIS law is crafted with jail terms, monies will be paid faster and faster, NIS will end up getting surplus upon surplus.  Even to such a point that they may ask that rates decrease.

I have noticed that some unscrupulous employees will declare for a small percentage, pay for them, hoodwink the NIS, get compliance, continue fine and dandy with their merry thieving mechanisms and cause misery to people lives and the Government, who in the end have to foot pensioners and sick people care and sustenance bill.

I am calling for a more aggressive National Insurance Scheme, with incorruptible inspectors and management.  I volunteer my service to NIS a private advisor/consultant to capture NIS thieves.  I suggest that the NIS establish a 24-hour hot line, as was done by the Minister of Home Affairs, where employees or those with info can record complaints on tape, or even anonymous messages, for some may fear their employers.