Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson (2nd left) shares a photo op with Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) awardees — (from third left) educator, author and theatre practitioner, Dr Jean Small; founder and chairman of Cari-Med Limited and philanthropist, Glen Christian; founder of the Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill, Joy Crooks; and medical doctor and philanthropist, Owen James. Occasion was the CCRP 2018 Living Legacy Awards luncheon held Friday at Mona Visitors Lodge, and Conference Center University of the West Indies, Campus. Also pictured are chairman of National Baking Company, Gary Hendrickson (left); and founder and executive chairperson CCRP, Jean Lowrie-Chin (right). (Photo: JIS)

EMPLOYERS, workers and self-employed persons are being reminded to contribute to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), as required by law.

The call was made by Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson at the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) 2018 Living Legacy Awards luncheon held on Friday at Mona Visitors Lodge, and Conference Center The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.

She said that non-compliance plays a major role in the lack of growth for the number of contributors, despite increased employment levels.

Under the law, all persons age 18 years and older, who are gainfully employed and domiciled in Jamaica, should be insured under the NIS.

“The NIS is mandatory if you are working. There are provisions in the law to sanction employers and persons who don’t contribute, and I believe we (the Government) may have to look at that to make sure that when these funds are taken from your salary that it is indeed paid over to the scheme,” she said.

Robinson said every effort is being made to preserve the scheme, which was established 56 years ago.

“It was a brilliant idea and it has served the people of Jamaica well, and we want to continue to build on that,” she said.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/nis-contribution-mandatory-for-employed-self-employed_145646