In the early 1970s I attended a trade union course sponsored by The American Institute For Free Labour Development in Virginia, USA for Latin American and Caribbean trade unions.
One of the subjects was National Insurance and since at that time the government of Grenada was considering the introduction of such a scheme in our country, and the trade unions had much interest.
I can never forget the caution given by the lecturer for the need for trade unions and other participating organisations to see to it that the government should not be allowed to manipulate the operations of such a scheme.
Regrettable over the past years, it appears that the scheme in Grenada has been manipulated to a large extent by the government to the detriment of the contributors.
Our government has been borrowing indiscriminately very large sums of money from the scheme and repayment was/is not timely which raises the question of management.
In JK Roberts’ article ,“ Grenadians Should Protest Increase in NIS Contribution”, there is much food for thought and it is almost impossible to put more value on any one point over another made by him, but if I may draw attention to one paragraph: “Also of relevance in understanding the causes which have impaired the health of the NIS is the value of pension fund lost with NIS alleged million dollar investment in BICO/CLICO financial fiasco in 2009”.
It is evident that the administration is not truly interested in the welfare of the citizens which brings to mind a C&W dividend cheque paid at one time but used for what purpose?
The apparent none concern of the share holder/government of the non-compliance of C&W (Gda)/Lime/Flow with the law governing the holding of Annual General Meetings is astounding to say the least.
The cry of investors in the aforementioned has not to-date gotten any tangible support from the government of Grenada. See what the governments of Trinidad &Tobago and Barbados did for their victims.
What has resulted in the promise made by Prime Minister Mitchell to the members of the Seamen & Waterfront Workers Union re: talk with the Prime Minister of Barbados on the matter?
This is how the so-called caring government of Grenada and Prime Minister Mitchell operate – like President Donald Trump, promises but no action.