Workers of the Guysuco estates in Berbice protested at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) office in New Amsterdam yesterday over claims not being processed since February, owing to damaged computer systems.
Supervisor of the Guyana Agricultural & General Workers Union (GAWU) office in New Amsterdam, Harvey Tambron, told this newspaper that the damage was caused by a leaking roof during the rainy weather.
He said because of the negligence in repairing the roof, workers have been made to suffer. He said he learnt too that the roof has to be repaired before the parts are installed and he was disappointed that it was taking such a long time.
Bearing placards, the workers picketed peacefully, chanting “we need our money”.
The workers said they were frustrated because every time they call in to find out about their benefits they would only hear “the roof leaking”.
In spite of that, they said, “NIS still collecting people contribution… and when the time come to get our benefit we can’t get it. That is high class nonsense!”
According to them, the NIS has a 14-day policy regarding the claims “but right now the policy has no time.”
Tambron said persons have claims such as “sickness benefits, injury benefits, old age pension, survivors’ pension and reimbursement for spectacles…” They cannot get to access the information regarding the “status of their claims. If they [NIS] tell the workers something at least they would be satisfied.”
A cultivation worker said he fell from a punt and injured his hand and although he had to undergo two surgeries his hands are still not functioning properly. He said he is fed-up waiting on his benefits.
