Social Security to beef up collection for 2009

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Kitts-Nevis Social Security Board has emphasised its intention to be keener on collection of payments from employers for this year, an act called for by Minister of Finance Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris during his 2009 Budget Address. 

Dr. Harris informed that for 2009, government departments are expected to “be even more vigilant in collecting arrears”. He added that a concerted effort will be made by all revenue-generating departments to collect amounts owing to government. As a result, the Social Security Board has made it clear that the federal entity wishes to capitalize on its collection mechanism.

Senior Public Relations Officer Damian Audain told SKNVibes that it is extremely important that employees make timely payments to the Board as it helps with the smooth flow of operation. He informed that a grace period is given for every month which gives 30 days for payments to be made, and allows employers a small window to pay on time. For example, payments for January 2009 may be made up until February 28, 2009, after which the amount accumulates a five percent charge for every month overdue.

“Failure to comply is a serious issue. We have our inspectors who would visit the employers and try to find out why they did not make their payments. They then may be ordered to appear in Court. If it reaches this point, the employer will be given a specific time to pay or ordered to spend a period of time in jail. At that stage, the names of the [non-compliant] employer would be published.  ~~Adz:Right~~

“If an employer deducts from his/her employees’ wages and refuses to pay to the Board, in the unlikely event of sickness, we [the Board] are obligated to pay the benefits. We would then deal with that employer.

“We offer a number of benefits to pay and investment projects to finance and so it is very important to ensure that timely payments are made. We do not take any pleasure in taking people to court. Individuals must note that it is so much easier to keep up with their payments than to be forced to pay a large sum of money.”

Audain, on behalf of the St. Kitts-Nevis Social Security Board, thanked all the individuals and employers who complied with the Board’s stipulated guidelines. He encouraged all self-employed individuals to get “on board although it may be tough at times” and promised that “you would not regret it because of the many benefits that may be had.”