THE National Insurance Scheme (NIS) in New Amsterdam is the latest entity to be demonstrated against by the ‘Justice for the Unjust’ organisation (JFTU), as that NGO intensifies its protest actions in attempting to get justice for underprivileged groups.Armed with placards which highlighted several issues affecting contributors, the organisation’s members collectively issued a call for the NIS field officers to be more proactive in order to arrest alleged discrepancies faced by the working population, particularly those employed by the private sector.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, JFTU Vice-President, Mr. Ishmael King, said: “There are a lot of private firms not paying the NIS contributions for their respective workers, and NIS is sitting idly, not doing anything about it. We are calling on the field officers to be more active and go and check the records of these businesses, and let them be responsible for paying their staff contributions.

“You see, when these people (employees) become old and attain the pensionable age, and on visiting NIS, they then learn there are no contributions although there is evidence that monies were deducted from their salaries and wages, there are no records to prove that the persons were employed by certain entities.

“However, if monies were paid, many times NIS would say that the individuals had an insufficient contribution, which would result in the issuing of a grant instead of a pension.

“Therefore, we are calling on the coalition government to address the issue of insufficient contributions, and set aside monies so that, instead of persons benefiting from a grant, persons can receive a pension.

“Government can offer a subsidy for the benefit of the elderly. If the government and NIS fail to address this concern, then the private sector will continue to exploit their workers, who have toiled to make Guyana a better place.”

King argued that many contributors died before receiving their benefits, while others who attained the age of 60 and failed to meet the relevant contributions are left with a paltry sum; a grant, which is inadequate to meet their needs.

Further, he emphasised that cost of living is high; life expectancy is short, and few persons are living beyond age 65.

JFTU President Mr. Dion Thomas highlighted the urgent need for monies borrowed by the Berbice Bridge Company Inc to be returned to the National Insurance Scheme, so that the contributors can become beneficiaries.

The protestor told the media he was unable to recall being invited to a meeting where contributors were told that their monies would be lent to assist in financing the Berbice River Bridge.

He also highlighted the many security firms which offer services in Region 6, East Berbice/Corentyne, yet fail to honour their obligations by paying the deducted sums in favour of their employees’.

“Many of these firms have no documents to prove the amount of persons in their employment. NIS supervisors are saying that records are kept in Georgetown. But if a person works here, a record must be kept here, and the field officer must be able to access that record when necessary,” Thomas contended.

Further, Thomas said that in attempt to assist scores of persons with their various complaints, he journeyed to Whim, where an official complaints desk is located. He, however, deemed the operations as a fraud, as he is yet to receive acknowledgement or a response from the liaison officer or the respective government agencies.

He urged politicians not to only come to the Ancient County when it’s time to cast the ballot, but that they remember Berbicians, and primarily New Amsterdam, the land that time forgot, so as to bring employment, electricity and  development there.

Since being registered two months ago, this NGO has protested for the removal of the overage lone labour officer Mr Ronald Bissoondyal, and for the reduction of the Berbice River Bridge tolls.

By Jeune Bailey Vankeric