The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) paid out $24 million in sick leave claims at the end of 2016 and Minister of Labour Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo has embarked on a mission to remedy the problem.
Speaking at a church service marking the 50th anniversary of the National Insurance Department at the St Michael’s Cathedral yesterday, Byer-Suckoo said she has already begun to petition the island’s medical practitioners to think twice before prescribing sick leave.
“We have begun discussions with the members of the medical fraternity, with the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners to sensitize the medical profession to the impact of prescribing sick leave when other options could be just as effective,” the Minister of Labour said.
She lamented that the large volume of sick leave claims had also created a backlog of “unacceptable delays in processing”, but assured that the NIS would ensure Barbadians received their benefits.
Some 54, 000 people benefited from last year’s sick leave payouts and Byer-Suckoo urged Barbadians to adopt healthier lifestyles to fight off the epidemic of non-communicable diseases, which she suggested, was a major contributor to the number of sickness and disability claims being processed by the National Insurance Department.
“The prevalence of non-communicable diseases continues to be a concern for all of us including us at the National Insurance Department. We have to continue on the path of prevention and it is our individual responsibility to lead healthier lives,” warned Byer Suckoo, who is also a medical doctor.
60 years after Che Guevara’s visit to Gaza transforming the Zionist colonialization of Palestine from a regional conflict to a…
By now, it should be evident to everyone that the long-line, long-wait, high-tax method of managing Barbados has not changed.…
Well done, Bayleys. You have won the cup for four consecutive years. However, there is much to be said about…
“I hope this memoir provides lessons, particularly in matters of financial and monetary policy to which I have dedicated most…
Kooyman Megastore continues to contribute to the Barbados landscape – literally – by planting trees in tandem with the number…
It’s full steam ahead for Gather At De Bay, the first event in the year-long calendar of events for We…
View Comments
Appreciating the persistence you put into your blog and detailed information you provide.
Appreciating the persistence you put into your blog and detailed information you provide.
She is crazy. . How can it be to high of a cost. . When every week before i get my money nis done take out before it land in my hand .. nonsense. .. it's our money tho
She is crazy. . How can it be to high of a cost. . When every week before i get my money nis done take out before it land in my hand .. nonsense. .. it's our money tho
She remember she is a doctor?
She remember she is a doctor?
You all are making this thing so political. We all know this is the silly season, but my Barbadians can't be this silly or lacking social understanding about out national institutions.
All governments in our history has used the N I S as a financier for projects, ans loans for the country because repayments are in local currency instead of foreign exchange if they borrow on the capital market. The only way N I S has been able to pay pensions, and other benefits is by investing our money. So the money for the police stations is a loan, that will be repaid with interest similar to so many other projects over the years. The N I S owns buildings in Barbados that is rented and least to public and private sector entities, they have investments in companies here, and overseas investments as well, so the point she's making is that $ 24,000,000.00 is a lot of money to lose from the N I S in sickness benefits alone for one year. It's too much for a small country like ours.
I long to see the day when all employees in this country, in both private and public sectors are on contract where they can't simply accumulate years leading to a company pension. I wish to see gratuity payments at the end of two year contracts, so those who spend time off the job will lose some of their gratuity, with others who carry the load getting more. The good productive workers will earn new contracts at the end of the agreed period, while the slackers will have to seek employment elsewhere.
While I will always support fair work for fair pay, health and safety at work, provision of adequate care facilities for working single mothers, adequate transport for those working late at night, and of course humane domestic facilities while at work. I will never support workers who believe they have six certified sick days per year and who otherwise abuse the provisions placed in law for those with genuine issues. These workers need to be exposed as they too like the very politicians you all ridicule are robbing their fellow employees, compromising our children's future, and skimming off valuable investment capital from the N I S. It's time we act, and speak maturely on the several issues facing this country. This government has made some critical errors of judgement, some of their ministers have made irresponsible statements at times, but everything they say or does cannot be wrong. Life is simply not that way, so we need to support what's right even if we cross the line of those we support politically.
You all are making this thing so political. We all know this is the silly season, but my Barbadians can't be this silly or lacking social understanding about out national institutions.
All governments in our history has used the N I S as a financier for projects, ans loans for the country because repayments are in local currency instead of foreign exchange if they borrow on the capital market. The only way N I S has been able to pay pensions, and other benefits is by investing our money. So the money for the police stations is a loan, that will be repaid with interest similar to so many other projects over the years. The N I S owns buildings in Barbados that is rented and least to public and private sector entities, they have investments in companies here, and overseas investments as well, so the point she's making is that $ 24,000,000.00 is a lot of money to lose from the N I S in sickness benefits alone for one year. It's too much for a small country like ours.
I long to see the day when all employees in this country, in both private and public sectors are on contract where they can't simply accumulate years leading to a company pension. I wish to see gratuity payments at the end of two year contracts, so those who spend time off the job will lose some of their gratuity, with others who carry the load getting more. The good productive workers will earn new contracts at the end of the agreed period, while the slackers will have to seek employment elsewhere.
While I will always support fair work for fair pay, health and safety at work, provision of adequate care facilities for working single mothers, adequate transport for those working late at night, and of course humane domestic facilities while at work. I will never support workers who believe they have six certified sick days per year and who otherwise abuse the provisions placed in law for those with genuine issues. These workers need to be exposed as they too like the very politicians you all ridicule are robbing their fellow employees, compromising our children's future, and skimming off valuable investment capital from the N I S. It's time we act, and speak maturely on the several issues facing this country. This government has made some critical errors of judgement, some of their ministers have made irresponsible statements at times, but everything they say or does cannot be wrong. Life is simply not that way, so we need to support what's right even if we cross the line of those we support politically.
Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo go take a rest, you are now tired and weary, Politics, your family and personal life has taken a toll on you. You need a massage and some Tender loving Care.
It's now time to give up Politics jump and don't wait to be pushed like Patrick Todd or Patrick Tannis
Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo go take a rest, you are now tired and weary, Politics, your family and personal life has taken a toll on you. You need a massage and some Tender loving Care.
It's now time to give up Politics jump and don't wait to be pushed like Patrick Todd or Patrick Tannis