Dear Editor,
The tone of the letter bearing the caption `Decisions being made at NIS are not anchored in the concept of social security’ reflects the malicious intent of its author. The author has gone out of his way to deliberately misguide the populace.
The National Insurance Scheme treats all individuals equally and respectfully, the Scheme is mandated to provide social security coverage to all insured persons regardless of their ethnicity, literacy, political or religious persuasion or any other characteristic.
The specifics of Ms. Lake’s matter were unique and were dealt with by the relevant authorities within the Scheme in accordance with the provisions of the National Insurance and Social Security Act.
The Scheme conducts regular public relations campaigns which seek to educate the general public on the nature of its operations, the benefits offered and the importance of social security coverage throughout the entirety of Guyana.
As it relates to the allegations by the author that the Scheme is demanding that new pensioners have their pensions paid into financial institutions, and the non-acceptance of claims for those who choose otherwise, these statements are fallacious and defamatory. At no time has the National Insurance Scheme demanded that pensioners have their pensions paid into financial institutions. The Scheme has merely been encouraging pensioners to utilize the facility due to some of the following reasons:-
It is easier and convenient to access the funds from the bank due to their 24 hours ATM service.
Pensioners do not have to go to the post office and face a situation where they are told that the post office does not have enough cash to pay them.
The issues of lost pension vouchers/ books are eliminated.
Monthly reports indicate that there is a steady increase in the number of pensioners who choose to utilise the bank lodgment system. It must be noted that although pensioners are encouraged to use the bank lodgment system, many persons still continue to enjoy uplifting their pensions by way of encashing pension vouchers.
The National Insurance Scheme has not changed its mandate to provide social security coverage to all those who contribute and are duly entitled.
Yours faithfully,
Dianne Lewis Baxter
Public Relations Officer
