Collecting National Insurance Scheme (NIS) monies from businesses and self-employed people has become so vexing for Government will soon be publishing the names of defaulters, among other measures, to collect long outstanding funds.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Senator Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo said yesterday that the NIS department had entered in various arrangements with people but many of them had reneged, and whenever the matter was taken to court or severe action implemented, some defaulters sought public sympathy by complaining to the media.
“Some companies that owe the NIS department in the millions of dollars also owe the Value Added Tax (VAT) Division and the Inland Revenue Department in the millions,” she told the Senate yesterday, noting that these departments had been trying “several means” over the years to collect arrears.
She said measures had included strengthening the NIS, in particular, with collection officers while getting Cabinet approval to amend the legislation that would allow for an extension of the limitation period from three to six years under the Limitation of Actions Act. (RJ)
