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SCORES of pensioners, employees of the Public Service Ministry and other stakeholders have rejected recommendations by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to move the pensionable age from 60 to 65 years. Attending the NIS eighth actuarial review, under the theme ‘Let your Voice be heard’ in the Regional Democratic Council Boardroom on the Essequibo Coast on Wednesday, pensioners and other stakeholders said they are not pleased with what they have heard on a tape recording about the proposals.
A retired headmaster, who spoke at the forum but did not want his name used, said he does not agree with changing the pensionable age.
The man, who has some personal problems with NIS concerning his contribution records, called for the standard of service to be improve at the agency’s offices and more effective means of processing applications for old age pension.
Another pensioner, Lloyd Daniels said what was recommended by NIS cannot find favour with the Guyanese public. He questioned the four Board members, including President of Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), Mr. Komal Chand, about what will happen to retirees from 55 to 65 and how they would live if the Government increases retirement age.
He asked what is the Board doing to cut costs and said he agrees that compliance must be enforced but said more has to be done in communicating with pensioners.
Chairman of Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr. Parmanand Persaud urged negotiations, involving the Government, NIS and the Ministry of Labour, on the proposals to raise the pensionable age and the age of retirement.
He pointed out that many persons make contributions to the NIS and never derived benefit and said the scheme should look at the administrative expenses and reduce staff, especially at the Georgetown Office.
GIVEN ATTENTION
Persaud said NIS does not update and provide stakeholders with contribution records on a monthly basis and that should be given attention immediately.
He also refuted a statement by NIS that the workforce is smaller and said it has grown under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.
In his view, people are earning more, especially in the mining industry and added that more of them must contribute to the NIS so it can survive.
Another speaker, Daveanand Singh enquired why he cannot get medical benefits when he submits bills from a herbal doctor although he is a contributor.
A Board member informed him that, in accordance with the law, NIS cannot accept bills from herbal doctors.
Another man, Anthony Naipaul charged that NIS records are in disarray and appealed for sickness benefit claims to be expedited. He also wanted a list of persons to whom he claimed NIS loaned money. But a Board member reminded him that NIS does not lend money, it invests so as to get good returns.
Contributor Loaknauth Balgobin said rich people would live to collect NIS pension at 65 but not those who are poor. He wanted to know how NIS could be in the red when an advertisement in a daily newspaper said it is investing some $30M to construct a sports complex on Carifesta Avenue, Thomas Lands, in Georgetown.
NIS has recommended, among other things, increasing the contribution rate from 13 percent to 15 percent no later than January 2013.
A retired headmaster, who spoke at the forum but did not want his name used, said he does not agree with changing the pensionable age.
The man, who has some personal problems with NIS concerning his contribution records, called for the standard of service to be improve at the agency’s offices and more effective means of processing applications for old age pension.
Another pensioner, Lloyd Daniels said what was recommended by NIS cannot find favour with the Guyanese public. He questioned the four Board members, including President of Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), Mr. Komal Chand, about what will happen to retirees from 55 to 65 and how they would live if the Government increases retirement age.
He asked what is the Board doing to cut costs and said he agrees that compliance must be enforced but said more has to be done in communicating with pensioners.
Chairman of Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr. Parmanand Persaud urged negotiations, involving the Government, NIS and the Ministry of Labour, on the proposals to raise the pensionable age and the age of retirement.
He pointed out that many persons make contributions to the NIS and never derived benefit and said the scheme should look at the administrative expenses and reduce staff, especially at the Georgetown Office.
GIVEN ATTENTION
Persaud said NIS does not update and provide stakeholders with contribution records on a monthly basis and that should be given attention immediately.
He also refuted a statement by NIS that the workforce is smaller and said it has grown under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.
In his view, people are earning more, especially in the mining industry and added that more of them must contribute to the NIS so it can survive.
Another speaker, Daveanand Singh enquired why he cannot get medical benefits when he submits bills from a herbal doctor although he is a contributor.
A Board member informed him that, in accordance with the law, NIS cannot accept bills from herbal doctors.
Another man, Anthony Naipaul charged that NIS records are in disarray and appealed for sickness benefit claims to be expedited. He also wanted a list of persons to whom he claimed NIS loaned money. But a Board member reminded him that NIS does not lend money, it invests so as to get good returns.
Contributor Loaknauth Balgobin said rich people would live to collect NIS pension at 65 but not those who are poor. He wanted to know how NIS could be in the red when an advertisement in a daily newspaper said it is investing some $30M to construct a sports complex on Carifesta Avenue, Thomas Lands, in Georgetown.
NIS has recommended, among other things, increasing the contribution rate from 13 percent to 15 percent no later than January 2013.
