Carpenter wins NIS pension in landmark ruling

Shariff Zainul (centre) flanked by attorneys Christopher Ram (left) and Christopher Thompson of Christopher Ram and Associates, Attorneys at Law.

A carpenter has won his case for pension, after taking the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to court in what has been hailed as a landmark ruling that pronounced on the obligation of the NIS and the employer for the maintenance of accurate and complete records.

The Court has further made it clear that NIS needs to be more robust in ensuring that employers comply with the law regarding deduction and payment of NIS contributions on behalf of their employees.

NIS’ contention was that Shariff Zainul did not have the required number of contributions for the payment of old age pension, and was therefore entitled only to a grant.