Suckoo has big plans for NIS

ONE?of the main priorities for Cabinet Minister Esther Byer-Suckoo will be looking at the possibility of having unemployment benefits extended beyond 40 weeks.
Suckoo, who was assigned the Social Security portfolio in Wednesday’s Cabinet reshuffle, said she will be having talks with the National Insurance on the issue.
“I don’t have any plans on that, but it is one of the questions that is uppermost on my mind; do we need to extend it and if so, are we in a position to extend it? I am not saying that I will extend it, but I am going to be reviewing that situation. That is one of the first things on my mind,” Suckoo said, minutes after leaving yesterday’s Cabinet meeting at Government headquarters.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart  extended the unemployment benefit from 26 weeks to 40, but that arrangement is due to expire at year-end. (MK)
 
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