Social Security Reforms Still on Point

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Thursday, 14 February 2013 02:30

By Delana Isles

Antigua St. John's - As consultations on the way forward for the Social Security scheme are expected to continue in coming weeks, Chairman Everett Christian said he is still awaiting word from the unions on their possible recommendations for the reforms.

Earlier this year, Christian expressed disappointment at the poor response to the reform proposals. However, during a televised interview on ABS Television recently, he noted that the discussions held since have been fruitful and stakeholders have shared a number of critical ideas.

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However, those stakeholders do not include the unions.

When contacted, Christian told Caribarena that the Trade Union Congress - which had been vocal in its opposition to the two percent increase in contribution - has responded to the board, but that he had expected some specific recommendations, which was not the case.

Contacted for comment on the TUC's position, Kim Burton, through his wife, directed this news site to speak with Christian on the issue.

Efforts to contact other Union heads, including Alrick Daniels of the Antigua Trade and Labour Union, and David Massiah of the Antigua Workers Union proved futile.

Asked if he had received communication from the other unions, Christian said the board is still awaiting this.

Daniels had, earlier in January - as published by another news site - expressed shock at the proposed reforms.

In a letter to Christian, Daniels objected to the amendments without greater public awareness and further discussion with stakeholders.

The union leader said the ATLU had formalized its position by way of letter to the SS chairman last November, and that only 10 days after the presentation, the board was “seeking to coerce the Unions to select options in order to facilitate recommendation of Cabinet by December 31, 2012."

He said the Union will not be forced into making any rash decision which will have future implications on workers’ welfare.

The December deadline was subsequently put off to January, with the same lukewarm response by stakeholders.

Christian told Caribarena yesterday that it has been two months, and the board is still awaiting communication from the unions.

When questioned, he said he was not aware of any changes in the union's position since Daniel's letter was published.

He added that they are putting together the document, and consultations will continue until the end of March. Further consultations will be held to address the issue of increasing the pension age.



"Within the next 10 to 14 days, we should organise another public consultation bringing all the stakeholder groups together so that we can go over what their recommendations are to the views that were expressed so that we can discuss this," Christian said during an ABS interview.

He said he does not foresee a problem with raising the pensionable age to 65, but what would the final structure was what mattered.

"Whether we would move immediately, transition it over a five year period or over a ten year period. There are three options,” he said.

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