NIS set to conduct training on claims, other areas later this month

The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) will embark on a series of educational sessions for its clerks along with representatives from various agencies. The main objective of the sessions are to improve the quality of such areas as registration documentation, claims, compliance, and applications.

According to an advert posted in the newspapers, the training sessions will entail teaching attendees the requirements for registration of employees, what errors to avoid during the registration process, and the requirements for a compliance certificate. Also on the agenda is teaching those in attendance about errors to avoid on the contribution schedule, what is needed for making a claim, and errors to avoid when making a claim.

The training sessions come on the heels of a landmark case against the NIS that was won by carpenter Shariff Zainul (NIS has since appealed the ruling), who had sued the NIS for pension. During the case, Zainul had argued that his former employer, Toolsie Persaud Limited (TPL), failed to remit his contributions for the years 1992 to 2000. The court found that Zainul was entitled to the 354 omitted contributions and therefore qualified for old-age pension.

The court ruled that the NIS and employers must maintain accurate and complete records of contributions. The court also criticized the NIS for its notorious inaccurate and incomplete contribution records. The ruling serves as a precedent for similar cases against the NIS, and the court has also ordered the NIS to be more robust in ensuring compliance with the law regarding contributions.

Over the years, there have been letters to the editor in which complaints were made against the NIS for various inefficiencies. In one of them (dated June 9, 2022), chartered accountant Terrence Jaskaran vented his frustration with the bureaucratic inefficiencies and red tape of the insurance scheme. He criticized the NIS for its constantly changing and irrational procedures, causing stress and frustration for the public.

Jaskaran, in his letter, highlighted issues with collecting benefits and registering as an employer, stating that the NIS’s procedures lack structure and are often made up on the spot. He further emphasized that contributions made to the NIS are the contributors’ money and called for the NIS to treat individuals with respect and efficiency. The man also argued that the NIS’s inefficiencies hinder the government’s efforts to promote ease of doing business and build a stable social security system.

Another letter, dated October 23, 2023, saw Jerry Jailall calling on the government to intervene and resolve longstanding issues with the NIS. He referenced an 88-year-old relative of his who had been waiting 28 years for his due benefits, despite providing documentation and credible statements from past colleagues.

Jailall argued that it is the statutory duty of the NIS to keep records of employees’ contributions, not the obligation of the employee to do so, and that the NIS’s failure to track and document contributions should not result in the denial of benefits. He further suggested that lawsuits and civil society advocacy groups (and government reforms) could help resolve the impasse. Jailall then called on the NIS to institute reforms that would pay partial benefits to people who have a threshold of less than 750 contributions.

The NIS’s planned educational sessions are open to the public and employers are being encouraged to nominate at least two employees to attend. Employers are advised to register, by tomorrow, using the email address, public_relations@nis.org.g y.

The sessions will be divided into two parts, with the first part (Session A) commencing on January 18 and concluding on January 19. Session B will take place on January 23 and 24. The sessions will be held at the NIS Sports Club on Carifesta Avenue and will commence at 9:30 AM, daily.