The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) in an effort to address the large number of issues faced by the public related to compliance has launched Compliance Month with effect from March 1st to the 31st.
This pronouncement was made in a release from the NIS yesterday and it was also disclosed that a series of outreaches have been arranged targeting large companies with a high number of employee contribution errors and reported issues. Focus will also be on non-complaint self-employed persons with the aim of reducing the number of non-complaint persons whilst generating revenue.
Some of the issues to be addressed during Compliance Month are:
*correcting misinformation in NIS’ system such as names and addresses
*informing and reminding contributors of the importance of being compliant
*registering new employers, employees, and self-employed persons
*issuing of Contribution Statements
According to the release, “Designated Queries Days” will be held every Friday of this month beginning from 5th March at the Scheme’s’ Brickdam and Camp & Bent streets offices in Georgetown, as well as all local offices across the country.
The schedule for Queries Day in Georgetown is as follows:
Date Location
March 5 Camp and Bent streets
March 12 Brickdam and Winter Place
March 19 Camp and Bent streets
March 26 Brickdam and Winter Place
Persons who require assistance on the following issues are encouraged to attend:
* Anyone who has been planning to get registered as self-employed but keeps putting it off
* Anyone who has issues with his/her contributions and needs to have it addressed
* Anyone who is indebted to the Scheme and wishes to start clearing his/her accounts
* Anyone who just started a new business and is unsure of the next step
* Anyone who wants to update his/her records; i.e. change of name, status, or address
* Anyone who wants to know more about NIS works
Contributors visiting to change or correct their names must have with them, their NIS and ID cards (or passport in the absence of the ID card), birth certificate, marriage certificate, deed poll, or affidavit of identity where applicable.
Persons wishing to correct or change their addresses must have their NIS and ID cards and a utility bill.
Further information concerning Compliance Month will be shared through the traditional media (radio, television and newspapers), as well as through social media campaigns and advertising.
NIS also wishes to remind the public that the benefits of being registered include: access to sickness, medical care and maternity benefits; qualification for Compliance certificates; an investment for the future that becomes available upon sickness, retirement, or payment to a loved one in the event of the contributor’s demise.
In recent outreaches by the PPP/C government, the NIS has come for severe criticisms from members of the public.
