– contributors to access registration, payments, claims and records online

THE National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is expected to complete a major digitisation of its operations by the end of this year, with contributors and beneficiaries able to access a wider range of services online, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said.
Dr Singh made this disclosure as he delivered the feature address at the NIS’ 57th Anniversary General Assembly, during which he said the digitisation project is part of efforts to ensure the scheme adapts to changing realities and improves the quality of service provided to citizens.
He said the initiative follows a directive from President Dr Irfaan Ali to transform the way citizens interact with the NIS.
“An instruction was given by His Excellency the President that we execute this digitisation project this year, so that consumers, so that contributors and participants, pensioners and other beneficiaries are able to interact with the scheme digitally in the convenience of their homes and wherever else they need,” he said.
Under the planned system, persons should be able to register with the NIS digitally, while employers and self-employed persons should be able to submit monthly returns and make contribution payments online.
Contributors should also be able to check their NIS contribution records, submit claims for benefits and track the progress of those claims digitally.
“You must be able to apply for a registration digitally. You must be able to submit if you’re an employer or a self-employed person; you must be able to submit your monthly returns digitally. You must be able to pay your contributions digitally,” the minister said.
Dr Singh said that contributors should also be able to check their records and submit and monitor claims from the convenience of their homes.
The minister said the push towards digital services is not simply about adopting new technology, but responding to growing expectations for efficient public services.
“We are living in a world today where people have an expectation, a very legitimate and valid expectation, of good quality service,” he said.
He noted that the NIS serves large numbers of people, including elderly persons and others who may be experiencing medical conditions and as such, making convenient and responsive service critical.
Further to this, Dr Singh said digital technology also has the potential to improve the NIS’ internal operations, including the use of data analytics to identify gaps in contributions and support enforcement.
He urged the NIS to move swiftly with the digital transformation, saying the available technology could significantly improve both its operations and the quality of service delivered to citizens.