The People of Barbados will be severely affected by the proposed changes to the National Insurance Scheme. They have noted that last March 2022, the Prime Minister stated that it was her intent to:
1. Make the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) a Statutory Corporation more independent from Government by the end of 2022.
2. Recapitalize the NIS.
3. Add a requirement to diversify investments both locally and abroad.
4. Ensure that when private projects SEEK PUBLIC SUPPORT, they give the NIS the choice to invest.
However, the People of Barbados not having been privy to any report on the consultations regarding the National Insurance scheme, not being provided information on the Actuarial Review of the Pension Fund, not having knowledge of the assets of the Scheme or how the tax payers monies are being spent or invested or government’s action to recover funds that are being owed; are now being faced with a Bill that has already passed in the House of Assembly without discussion when this Bill will have profound effects on the lives of the dwindling middle class and all of the persons from the lower echelons of society and Barbadians yet unborn. The Bill is now before the Senate the step before it becomes the law of the land.
The People have decided to take a stand. Our concerns are for:
1. Public engagement in a matter that profoundly alters the National Insurance scheme as it presently exists.
2. The conducting of a Social and Economic Impact Assessment on how such action will affect persons who currently live in Barbados as well as Barbadians who live abroad that have worked on the island and are due a pension.
3. All other options be explored to maintain the safety net of the people before the National Insurance Scheme is tampered with to the detriment of the people.
4. The impact on people who are currently eligible for a pension but with the proposed Bill, will not have enough contributions since the number of contributions will rise from 500 to 750.
5. That government bear the burden of proof to show evidence that their proposal in the form of a Bill has been a successful in another country and can therefore be a model adopted by Barbados.
6. That an island which currently has concerns about the level of productivity would even consider extending the retirement age of its workforce as this will undoubtedly lead to less productivity especially for manual, blue collar, construction and agricultural workers and a rise in physical and age-related illnesses.
7. The fact that many of our statutory corporations were established to relieve them of the administrative burden of the public service. While this makes sense in theory (1) we know that many statutory corporations have not been very good at producing financial statements to account for their operations (2) they are more politicized than the Civil Service since Governments will change the entire board and top management based on partisan political considerations rather than performance or ability. (3) Ministers with responsibility for statutory corporations are known to have refused to bring information about their operation to the Cabinet. There is nothing to suggest this will change.
8. That our pensions will be used to support/prop up private sector projects.
9. While diversifying investment sounds good, who will manage these investments? With no regard for the Auditor General how will we know that the money will not be going to family and friends? The people still are not provided with the transparency to know what happens to borrowed funds after they pass through the Estimates process so how can we trust what will happen to our NIS funds?
The time to act is now and based on the foregoing, we the People are demanding that:
1. The age of retirement to be at 65
2. Eligibility remains at 500 contributions
3. Politicians and citizens to be on par with respect to retirement age
4. More compliance officers be employed to ensure contributions are paid
5. Government pay back the money owed
6.Government identifies the leaks in the scheme and fix them
7. Government goes after defaulters
8. Regular audits are conducted
9. Systems are put in place whereby the government cannot use the funds
10. NIS be placed into the Central Government and not under the absolute control of the Minister
11. Systems are put in place to help microbusinesses file their contributions
12. That The National Insurance (Amendment) Bill & The Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill be withdrawn.
“The People have decided to take a stand”
A few years too late? “The People” don’t read BU?
Too many incorrect claims, and scattered focus on demands.
Too late shall be your cry!
. The age of retirement to be at 65..too late, that ship sailed already
2. Eligibility remains at 500 contributions…too late it’s at 759
3. Politicians and citizens to be on par with respect to retirement age…good fucking luck
4. More compliance officers be employed to ensure contributions are paid….bullshit. more jobs no results.
5. Government pay back the money owed…good luck
6.Government identifies the leaks in the scheme and fix them…pardon me. You expect the govt to police themselves?
7. Government goes after defaulters…good idea. But…the big source of money waste, is the government not the defaulters.
8. Regular audits are conducted…it was law and hasn’t been done successfully for 15+ yrs.
9. Systems are put in place whereby the government cannot use the funds…ha ha ha. They were using them and you didn’t even know 😂😂
10. NIS be placed into the Central Government and not under the absolute control of the Minister…..so you think central government doesn’t fall under a Minister. Duh.
11. Systems are put in place to help microbusinesses file their contributions…yank yank…micro business people are idiots?
12. That The National Insurance (Amendment) Bill & The Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill be withdrawn….and replaced with ????
So David a ‘barely like um’ list.
@NO
The petition is piloted by Heather Cole.
I have no concern about pilots.
The issue is accountability.
If the law can be abused with impunity, there will be no change. Just a different abuse angle.
If I murder two children, do I merely find two orphans and provide them to the family of the deceased?
Contributions get diverted (cash) and are later replaced with Bonds, so all is good? The initial crime goes untouched.
A company CBL is formed, and not a single annual report as required by law is issued, but it loses $124M and the lone asset (land as loan collateral) is being disputed. NOBODY has ever been called to account.
If it wasn’t for the IMF, the NIS contributions re-direction may still be a secret. The NIS don’t issue annual reports as required by law.
The law don’t apply to we?
When the GoB wanted to offload the Caves, past Reports appeared as if by magic. All the stumbling blocks which apply to others were overcome?
To clarify- are you suggesting NO that if the governance issues were being complied with we would not have the concerns of today?
“concerns” is very broad.
What I am saying is unless accountability is enforced, the C’s (the Cabal), will continue to abuse and ignore.
Some are calling for the NIS ‘investments’ in GoB debt, which became zero after the debt restructuring, to be returned.
Yet, those same calls ignore the cause. That for many years the NIS Investment Policy Statement was willfully ignored.
We en care, we want we money back?
The causal factors are ignored. Nobody is accountable. It stop so and hollar ply.
@NO
Fe.
The noise always crescendo when we are touched in the pockets in a Barbados context:
The election of Cornel West will not help the world economy or the NIS.
Oh jesus christos, but West has located the 2024 election thusly.
“A election of Biden will lead up to world war”.
“And the election of Trump will lead to civil war.”
Separately
We recognize the arrival of Afreximbank.
We wish them well!
ALL Pension Fund problems can be permanently solved by eliminating the need for the Fund with a Pension Tax.
KISS Solution
1) STOP NIS contributory pension benefit. NIS will ONLY provide sickness, maternity, injury, disability and unemployment benefits.
2) Everyone gets a pension calculated based on the average of your last 5 years earnings information in BRA PAYE Tax records.
3) Implement a Pension Tax on non-pension earnings recalculated each year to cover all the projected pension payouts until the next year when the Pension Tax is recalculated.
NIS would continue to pay pensioners but would be doing it on behalf of BRA.
Whoever wants more pension than that would have to supplement by private pension plans, investments or business ventures.
Who would be financing NIS payments of benefits? If the employee has to contribute, wouldn’t a ‘pension tax’ be an additional burden on people, especially those who earn minimum wages?
Should have scotched the 30-0 nullity in 2018.
May not have helped much with the NIS as it had been already rifled.
Listen start with 3 things
ENSURE THAT THE NIS IS RECAPITALIZED BY GOVERNMENT TO THE AMOUNT OF $80M A YEAR FOR THE NEXT 12 YEARS. (After all you right of 1 billion that wasn’t wunna one now put it back)
RING FENCE THE FUND BY LAW PROHIBITING INTERFERENCE BY ANY POLITAL PARTY NOW OR IN FUTURE FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE FUND. IN OTHER WORDS NO MOF WILL BE ABLE TO FORCE INVESTMENT OR INCREASE PENSION PAYMENTS BEFORE AN ELECTION AGAIN. DECISIONS LIKE THIS WILL BE MADE SOLELY BY THE BOARD AFTER FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION OF THEIR IMPACT .
FINALLY AS OF JANUARY 2024 NON CONTRIBUTORY PENSIONS WILL CEASE TO EXIST. SHOULD GOVERNMENT WISH TO CONTINUE WITH THESE PAYMENTS THEY WILL BE MADE FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FUND AND BEAR THE NAME ” A SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PAYMENT” THEREBY REMOVING THE WORD PENSION FROM THE DESCRIPTION.
Start with the above and we good.
I agree wholeheartedly with your suggestion of discontinuing non-contributory pensions. Why should people be forced to contribute 2% of their earnings to pay people who essentially refuse contributing to NIS. Everyone pays value added tax…. and, I believe any ‘social assistance’ should be paid therefrom. Also, what is the purpose of a ‘training levy’ that justifies people contributing 0.50% of their earnings to it? This 2.50% could either be ‘abolished’ thereby reducing the overall NIS contribution rate from 11.10% to 8.60%, or increase NI portion from 6.75% to 9.25%.
What is the non contributory amount? Is it 8 million? Who are the majority of people who get this pension? The demographic?
Suppose we never had NIS.
There would have been no money to steal.
The incentive would be with the private sector to make pension schemes available to the public on a competitive basis and there is a market because far more persons work today than prior to the onset of NIS.
So, one provider would be in competition with another to get the best returns for the monies the public entrusted to them for the supply of their future pensions.
There would be also an incentive for private companies to compete in providing health and employment insurance.
It is obvious that whether the retirement ages changed up or down or the number of contributions changed from 500 to 750, the de dog dead, sooner or later and if left to Government, it will be sooner.
Everything government touches turns to dust.
You may say that CLICO was a private entity and it folded but if you follow the political links you will realise the Government was instrumental in its demise.
The problem is with Government.
Pacha…the people finally got a real good glimpse into just how much danger they are in from the evil dangerous traitor government headed by the bajan talking machine…
They can now take it.from there…..they now know their very survival depends on how they proceed.
Part of the non contributory is coming from those who worked and contributed but will never collect (those that migrated or died early) All coming from tax payer pockets one way or another.
I am more concerned about contributing 2% of my earnings to support people who did not contribute as well, unless they were born with a disability that prevented them from working. The ‘demograhics’ or if the payment is $8M or 50¢ are irrelevant, in MY opinion.
And a person with kids will say they are against money taken from them for free education of other people kids and on and on we go. The sewage levy etc
What about the contingent rights of Caricom citizens? We need to focus on the governance of the fund to ROI and finding ways to invigorate enrollment in the NIS.
@Artax
How is it irrelevant if the cost is relatively insignificant in the scheme of things?
David, are you suggesting people should not be concerned about contributing 2% of their earnings to support non-contributory pensioners, because payments thereof may be insignificant? If so, that is your opinion. I ‘beg to differ.’
@Artax
People can be concerned about anything, especially what impacts their income. What is a social security designed to do? What is the obligation or responsibility of the state . See earlier question, who are the people that fall into this group? The blogmaster has no dog in this fight, we need to focus on the big picture.
We never liked Imran Khan as a cricketer.
For he was tooooo good a player, acting against us.
But as a politician, he’s without peer.
Makes his former and present foe connote imaginary of the giant and the ant.
That such a luminary could now be subjected to these the worst forms of political violence.
And that former West Indian players, socalled greats, to whom he gave nightmares, as a cricketer, could remain silent
Exposes a level of vacuousness much time and energies were unfortunately invested therein.
Artax
I don’t know when NIS started but back in the day I can remember most moms used to be stay at home mothers. I can think of two both over 75 where the husband/ child father passed long time ago. these women should be left to be supported by their children or the welfare department?
The kids and grandkids are now paying the same 2% that you against
John2, WHY should I be forced to contribute to COMPENSATING a man’s wife/girlfriend for taking care of HIS house and raising HIS children? I agree with John A 100%. Let such payments be made in the form a benefit, from the Consolidated Fund.
@Artax
You had submitted your suggestion to NIS people?
Waru
We remain unconvinced. That there is an awakening. Will be!
For even at Crop Over. When we had hoped that Iweb would have won the calypso contest, we continue to be asked to talk shiite about dead systems.
Made dead by the false lovers of democracy and devout supporters of neoliberalism, as window dressing for fascism.
BTW, did Iweb win?
I dont follow the crapover component, was even more turned off when the talking machine instead of giving the population hope of reconnecting to their African ancestry …via available data, was so brash and smilingly crude in telling the population to “go wukkup”….many were disgusted by this common class display coming from pretenders of lower stature…that’s all they can intellectially offer….since they know how many decades these lowcrawling hangsters sent manipulating the opulation into that dituation as seeong the crude wukking up as the only culture they have or know.
Am giving the poulation…minus the slaveminded, ignorant supporters, who will never learn or output anything useful….the benefit of the doubt..
If we want the NIS to function as a business entity and run an annual surplus,then no activities of the fund can be considered that are not based on revenue collected. The non contributory pension if government wishes to continue with it, must therefore be paid from the consolidated fund and the word PENSION removed from its title. Call it a national social payment or what ever you want but not a pesion.
Also Artax has a valid point why should he or any of us support those that do not pay? Is it right that a man that has made 749 contributions not see a cent now, but a man that never made one receice a payment?
Why should we that pay not see a cent to 68 when those that dont pay get $700 plus a month for not paying in a blind cent at 68!
Look wunna dont mind the sweet talk about bajans living longer bla bla bla. The fund is in trouble because 1 BILLION DOLLARS was removed from the fund and written off. The balance of paper that was not written off by government has seen its earnings drop from rougly 6 percent to 1 percent rougly a year. Add this to the non performing assets like the GROTTO and several like it and thats the real reason wunna got to wait to 68!
Take the political interference out the fund and run it like a business if you truly want in to be OUR LIFE LINE and not our BURIAL FUND!
@John A
Can we given our environment truly ring fence the NIS? We talk like the fund can be segregated given limited investment opportunities and particularly cognizant of the fact the fund is only as strong or less threatened by the state of our domestic economy.
@John A
FINALLY AS OF JANUARY 2024 NON CONTRIBUTORY PENSIONS WILL CEASE TO EXIST.
+++++++
You know that is a nonstarter; at best you could propose that it should be “granfathered” for recipients; with a cut off point for prospective beneficiaries of non-contributing pensions at some point in time. Do you remember what happened when the Gov’t decided to remove disability pensions for those who were receiving other Gov’t pensions? You can’t arbitrarily cut off pensions for people who are most in need.
I have never hear of I.Web! Nor, was I aware that this type of music was still being released in 2023 in Bimshire. According to BT and The Nation he was declared king of the monarchs. What a tune!
*****since they know how many decades these lowcrawling gangsters spent manipulating the population into that situation as seeing the crude wukking up as the only culture they have or know.
***Am giving the population…..
The demographic?
Sometimes we strain ourselves we reach well below our mental abilities.
I can understand a question like this occuring in a country like the USA. I do not get it for Barbados.
Who do you think will be the demographics?
@NO
8:55 a.m., 10:19 a.m.
Wow
Slash and burn
Taking no prisoners
I like how your eyes are opening. Not a sham, scam, ponzi scheme yet. Getting there.
@CA
Were you the guy moving around furniture on the Titanic? You need to add more detail to KISS.
Some stupid don’t get it.
David, a social security system is designed to benefit those persons who made the requisite contributions to it. Politicians are responsible for transforming Barbados into a mendicant society, then we complain about government borrowing and debt increasing.
@TheoGazerts @Artax
I simplified it further.
Government cannot pilfer from our NIS Pension Fund if it is taken away entirely. NO more NIS Pension and smaller NIS deduction.
Government will instead pay a monthly retirement allowance (RA) calculated on pre-retirement earnings info sent to BRA for PAYE and adjust the PAYE Tax rate on an annual basis to cover the projected retirement allowance payments budget for the year.
E.g. a person earning $2000 monthly at retirement might get $1200 RA while a person earning $5000+ per month might get $2500 RA
Artax on August 5, 2023 at 12:49 PM said:
Rate This
David, a social security system is designed to benefit those persons who made the requisite contributions to it. Politicians are responsible for transforming Barbados into a mendicant society, then we complain about government borrowing and debt increasing.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You just described socialism!!
That’s why it is called a “social” security scheme!!
Politicians did not do the transforming, we did.
Now we are sick and tired of the misery such a system engenders we make noise.
Sorry, unless we do something about the 30-0 nullity, we now have created a one party, socialist/Communist/Fascist state.
Pacha…there is a 1:12:26 audio on 789 Whatsapp group that you just gotta hear. When you think things could not get any worse or the betrayals any more repulsive…wrong…
The traitor mind never ceases to meet expectations.
We expected that is exactly what happened at NIS with the wholesale thefts….the free for all just for wicked politicians and their partners only.
Critical Analyzer
on August 5, 2023 at 1:32 PM said:
Rate This
@TheoGazerts @Artax
I simplified it further.
Government cannot pilfer from our NIS Pension Fund if it is taken away entirely. NO more NIS Pension and smaller NIS deduction.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Who is going to take over a fund that has millions owed to it and has written off $1 billion.
Young people need to make alternative arrangements.
Waru
Yes!
Consciousness is bound by neither space nor time.
This is the same Heather Cole that could not set up a meeting turn. No surprise here. #clueless
Bushie is surprised at your like of attack Enuff…
wide outside the off-stump…..
So what if Heather Cole could not set up a meeting turn..?
Did wunna not promote Doogid to senior minister in charge of ‘all infrastructure’ after he could not even assemble some LEGO steel houses?
Is Simmuns not a big-up senior too – after telling people to put up solar, even after de power company say Dem aint connecting?
Is the mock Professor not our TOP financial guru after being the failed Four Seasons guru?
Is the notorious NIS chief architect not now wunna top financial advisor?
It seems that Heather is following wunna BLP motto of – ‘gimme de ting and watch muh’…. even if I do shiite…
LOL
@enuff
There is a reality that will not go away by attacking Heather, Barbadians are fed up with how successive governments have managed the NIS. Unfortunately you are in seat and will suffer the blowback.
@ David
@ Sargeant
If we want future generations to trust the security of the fund and believe that they dont have to work to 75 for pension, then we must ring fence the fund and ensure that future and current governments can not feed off the tits of the fund when they find themselves in a tight cash flow situation.
If this is not done young people who know of the debt restructuring and the resulting decimation of the NIS, will say “not my money my father lost nuff in the government paper already.”
It is therefore not really an option if the NIS is to be seen by the young worrkers ‘ as their lifeline.” Basically confidence in the management of the NIS has now to be rebuilt and sweet talk will not suffice this time around.
THAT’S WHY I LOVE THE USA EARLY PENSION AT 62 AND FULL AT 65. ALSO INCREASING AMOUNTS FROM TIME TO TIME.
I RECENTLY MET AN AMERICAN LIVING IN TIJUANA WHO HAD NEVER CONTRIBUTED ONE PENNY TO SOCIAL SECURITY (HE WORKED AS A PIMP UNDERGROUND ALL HIS LIFE IN CALIFORNIA AND LAS VEGAS).
HOWEVER HE RECEIVED A MONTHLY SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK OR DIRECT DEPOSIT OF US$1800 FROM THE AGE OF 62.
IN TIJUANA MEXICO HE HAD A LAVISH FULLY FURNISHED 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT AT US$500 MONTHLY AND LIVED LIKE A KING.
IN MEXICO ANYONE MAKING US$1000 MONTHLY IS CONSIDERED WELL OFF.
HE IS ABOUT 69 YEARS SO HAS BEEN GETTING MONTHLY CHECKS FOR 7 YEARS PLUS.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ_rgrtr1gm/
This is not true at all.
For it goes against all the rules on which all social security systems are based.
One thing about America is that there’s never a free lunch, or retirement.
Why would anybody pay in if those who don’t get the same or similar benefits?
That Gringo was lying to you, as all husselers, pips, are known to do.
But then again, in Amerikkka everything has steel in it. So is the Social Security Administration. Even as the benefit rules, available online, says a definitive no!
Bushie
Watch and comment!
https://youtu.be/Wi3v1VF95q0
Watch & comment..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nothing to see here Pacha.
…and now you owe Bushie two hours, that could have been directed at Enuff’s weak excuses for cussing Heather…
LOL, anyway…
This is nothing but the ramblings of the lost souls on the Titanic speculating about whether it is the cold, the panic or the water that will be their undoing…
The concept of ‘extra terrestrial life’ is really an oxymoron.
‘Life’ is REALLY an extra terrestrial phenomenon, and in fact, it is the fleeting, limited, hazy, terrestrial existence that we call living that needs to be understood.
It is only OBVIOUS that there are super-human beings operating outside of our shiite realm, …and that with modern advanced technologies this will inevitably become clear to every single brass bowl…
So the appointed demons of our world have decided to manage this ‘problem’ by admitting the undeniable, while introducing all kinds of fancy shiite talk to distract wunna from the FACT that THINGS ARE FAST COMING TO A HEAD…and there is ONLY one sure salvation.
Same shiite with ‘global warming’.
The damn EARTH is obviously DYING.
Suffering the pangs of old age, and carnal abuse.
BUT, instead of making peace with wunna CREATOR, wunna minding the demons – talking shiite about ‘global warming’ and ‘carbon footprints’…and ’saving the planet’.
It is written that…
“The WHOLE WORLD shall be deceived”.
Rather than observe the OBVIOUS signs that our Titanic is sunk, and looking for THE lifeboat, …we hang onto shiite theories about keeping it afloat…
Bushie
As expected, you’ve misfired again. Will substantively respond when on a screen.
But sorry about your shortened life by the two hours.
Was operating on the basis that deeper insights might have been triggered.
“It seems that Heather is following wunna BLP motto of – ‘gimme de ting and watch muh’…. even if I do shiite…”
Not to mention all ah dem 93 and counting…with the exception of Donogood, are on a looonnngg list now under a RICO filing in Florida…their sidekicks in criminality aka yardfowls should tell is why…
Looks like the wannabe diktator shite went to their heads and they have no clue there is a price to pay.
Democratic socialism has its flaws. It has to be properly balanced.
Your free market capitalist system has even bigger flaws. The market is never free.
John 2 is right about the non- contributory pensions and stay at home moms. And Artax is right that there are many people out there, self-employed people who refuse to contribute and should not receive a pension off the backs of others who did.
I believe the non-contributory pensions should be fazed out, in a way that it does not impact those who are about to retire. There can be a provision for those who stayed at home to raise children to apply for a benefit. We are worried about population decline, after all.
As for all the other stuff, I think the horse has already bolted for some of Heather’s suggestions. And others require much money that will not come out of politicians’ pockets.
But we cannot throw our hands in the air and say that compliance officers will accomplish nothing and ring fencing the fund is impossible.
So wuh tuh do den? Nothing?
Awright den. Bye! I got udda fish tuh fry!
But before I go, let me congratulate TLSN for finally posting something worthwhile.
However, he directed us to I- Webb when the real gem came directly after.
I-Webb’s song was a Red Plastic Bag template.
Bits and pieces, news headlines wrapped in a “De Country Sick” paper. Pretty good but…
Adrian Clarke’s song was a Mighty Sparrow bomber. One topic, a witty tale, delivered in crisp style, without de lotta long drawn out line endings and fancy singing. Tight and Sharp. Perfect phrasing! Calypso in its purist form.
“Oh, Lion and Donkey arguin’, between de two uh dem, who is really king.” 😊
Baje cyan beat Trini calypso!
P.S. I know Slinger Francisco born in Grenada but he move to Trinidad when he did small.
Did anyone notice who stole the money from the NIS…..billions of dollars, with their criminal sidekicks of the minority variety involved..up to their necks in corruption and thefts to build their luxury lifestyles off Black backs…that is what the traitors set up……
….they remain a threat to the PENSION FUND, VAT, and treasury…once a thief, always a thief…you have well over 500 of them on the island…all famous…all pretend elites…..nearly 100 of them in one offshore court filing for rackeetering…i would be wondering who they will RoB next….only because try as they might they cant RoB me…that already blew up on them in a worldstage stylee.
Americans set a good example of how to protest against Government, which is a never ending and constant battle
Bushie
Anyone with lil common sense can see that the woman just talking for talking sake. She says the “People of Barbados will be severely affected” but hasn’t cited one example of such severe effect. She asks for a social and economic impact assessment, even though the social and economic impact from a collapsed NIS pension fund is clearly what the reform measures (that she opposes) are seeking to avoid. She asks for the Fund to be placed under Central Government and not under the absolute control of the Minister. We all know that Acts say Minister but decisions will be made by the Cabinet as a collective. The beauty though is the call for a return to 65yrs as the age of retirement, an age retired long time ago and simply makes no sense given the dwindling and aging population…..unless she’s advocating for an increase in contributions. I will not be (mis)led by a woman, who could not set up a meeting turn, on an issue as complex as pension reform. You get up good.
So what is “ring fencing”?
How can the same ring fencing stop those who invest NIS funds, from buying bonds beyond the IPS?
How can ring fencing stop the GoB from redirecting funds intended for the NIS?
How can ring fencing stop the GoB from incorporating an entity and not reporting, or guaranteeing loans that were so safe, not a single penny was ever repaid?
How can ring fencing stop the same corporation from selling the only asset (land) they received as collateral in case of loan default?
Please ring fence me, so I can do as I please.
@ David re Enuff
Boss, did you think that Enuff would have offered a few words in defense of the four Government’s top generals, who were so brashly treated by the bushman @ 3;12 pm?
…or is it only Bushie who noted that Enuff appears to be in phase with Bushie about the “LEGO steal house Senior” and the “Four Seasons Prof”?
Yuh gotta give it to Enuff…
..says VOLUMES with very few words…. oft-times with none…
LOL
@Bush Tea
Are you saying Enuff is a cherrypicker?
Source: Nation
Source: Nation
Source: Nation
How can anyone with integrity, ethics and moral deficits ask for reparations in the form of money with billions missing from the treasury, vat and pension fund, and with no one held accountability, no one arrested or imprisoned….make that make sense.
Yolande Grant – African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. August 5, 2023. @ 8:06PM
So when are they going to remove the 1661 Slave Codes and Slave Laws off the Barbados STATUTE BOOKS that we have been asking for YEARS and YEARS to get rid of them..
.everything Barbados has exported since slavery has poisoned the earth…
Reparations YES
Money. NO
There are many forms reparations can take…the first and most important one is FREEDOM…socio- ECONOMIC freedom for Afrikan descents…
FREEDOM from colonialism, racism, discrimination, and apartheid against Afrikan descents practiced in Barbados religiously, aided and abetted by the hypocritical black governments who refuse to end it..
..reparations should also include FREEDOM from colonial negros who believe themselves, once elected to parliament, masters of Afrikan people and proceed to join forces with minorities to suppress, oppress, disenfranchise/disempower, pauperize and exploit Afrikan descents…not one political hypocrite can dispute this….
On behalf of all mothers who stay at home and take care of their family, let me address that moronic comment about somebody not wishing to contribute to a system where he might have to pay into for a man’s wife/girlfriend to stay at home and take care of a child.
That is small-minded, selfish thinking or should I say disposition.
In the real world there are tax systems with provisions such as Married Filing Jointly where both spouses contribute to these social systems, irregardless of whether or not the wife works outside the home.
There are countries that value their citizens to the point where mothers are paid to stay at home and take care of their young ones simply because the government sees the bigger picture.
Could you imagine if real economies constructed system with such myopic thinking?
Just imagine if he got sick/ disabled today and cannot work to contribute to the system. Does he have enough credits in the bank to take care of him for the next 40 years or will he be dependent on the funds paid into the system by others including those men whose wives stayed at home to ‘raise’ the family?
Imagine if the elements operated like that. The sun/rain decided that he contributed nothing to the cycle or that his face is too ugly for sunlight therefore I will not shine nor rain on him. Just imagine!
……but since the Universe does not operate on a small-minded scale
Let’s all give thanks because the Almighty has truly blessed us with Greater Minds.
I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD BE FORCED TO CONTRIBUTE 2% OF EARNINGS TO SUPPORT A MAN’S WIFE/GIRL FRIEND WHO DECIDED TO STAY AT HOME TO CLEAN HIS HOUSE AND RAISE HIS CHILDREN. THAT IS MY OPINION, whether or not it is moronic, myopic or selfish…. and underlined with ‘amens.’ As I mentioned TWICE previously, I AGREED with John A that such payments should be made from the Consolidated Fund, which was purposely ignored for you to talk shiite, and the other holier than thou, know it all to say ‘amen.’ You do not know anything about me or what financial plans I made for retirement or sickness.
Is it difficult for mature persons to offer an opinion and at the same time respect others? We know the answer, it seems to be an enduring trait of humans, even educated ones.
It is a pity that many of you who comment here are ‘blessed by the Almighty with Greater Minds,’ which you only seem to use to talk shiite and criticise EVERY THING, EVERY DAY, rather than use them positively to develop a positive in society. A bunch of grumpy, old ass men, with nothing better to do in the nadir of your miserable lives, other than accentuate negativity on a daily basis.
Doesn’t that calypsonian know that liars, murderers, thieves and rapist use their brain?
Is the Brain truly the Center of Wisdom?
Wisdom is not exactly a trait/quality found in abundance. Its more like a scarce commodity and only a few has been endowed with it. You won’t find it on stage exciting the public and you definitely won’t find it in spaces of corruption for the Universe has only graced a few with such a golden nugget
btw.. Its high time these calypsonians find proper musical arrangements. Year after year the same slow, lazy adaptation. Been hearing this one beat since childhood. Where’s the creativity?
@ Hopi
Amen, and Amen!
Bushie
Nonsense!
***Bushman
Now do you see how you got hit dogs hollering?
David….for that I give you 1star.for being petty.
Hey Taxman…..why you yelling in your first 1/2 but then you then become a shrinking violet as you speak about yourself. If you do not wish to contribute to the system remove yourself. You didn’t start it and it definitely won’t end with you.
David, I ‘said’ I AGREE with John A that non-contributory pension should be reclassified as a ‘benefit’ and paid from the consolidated fund. What is wrong with that? But, then again the name of my attacker is synonymous with a ‘clown.’
Why you calling David to fight for you. Don’t you have a sac of testicles. Pull out one a fight since you called me an attacker…oh those are fighting word boy. Don’t you see that David?
Hopi synonymous with a clown? Vraiment?
Let me teach you a little of the other culture…its Homie not Hopi. Get ur facks straight.
Why are you no longer a king? You couldn’t cut the mustard?
I hope you don’t have anything to do with writing legislation in Barbados cause you ape and hate too much.
David**** ‘Now do you see how you got hit dogs hollering?’ Hahaha…. wuhloss!
https://youtu.be/aJRgVntJNQA
Hey Taxman…….listen to this lovely tune and lull urself to sleep.. If there be any substance, think on it. Have yaself a good night’s rest and don’t forget your binky
I’ll attempt to ‘get my FACTS straight,’ by teaching a little of the other culture,’ because some people are not as intelligent, well-read or even ‘blessed by the Almighty with Greater Minds,’ as they may want to believe. I suggest reading about the Pueblo Indians and the existence of a HOPI CLOWN, which may be a combination of a shaman, priest or JESTER. (In the absence of ‘bold,’ capital letters can be used to emphasise or give prominence to words). The ‘clowns’ amuse audiences through their silly antics, as childishly demonstrated at 10:43, 10:52, 10:55, 11:34 PM and 12:07 AM. But, the show isn’t OVER yet, there must be a grand finalé. I will ‘hopi and pray’ AL HIMAR makes ONE performance, instead of five or six. BACK to the substantive topic.
Source: Nation
Source: Nation
Amen, and Amen!
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bushie
When you say “Amen”, it could only mean “so let it be” as the albinos have well taught you. The very albinos you otherwise pretend to see as they really are – devils.
You are certainly not calling on the name of AmenRa or Amenhotep or any other of the names so related. You have never shown such proclivities.
More fundamentally, you would join with other ‘unreads’, your kef and kin, to denigrate Iweb’s song on the specious notion that it does not derive from wisdom.
When in truth and in fact the creatives represent all the facets of philosophy. Aesthetics in Iweb’s case. For there is and never was any higher expression of wisdom that those given us by creatives.
For your ilk, Iweb would have to be singing from the Songs of Solomon to measure up to your standards of such an artificial decency. Falsified wisdom.
A false wisdom handed you by the Piso family of Popes for a man who cannot be shown to have ever existed. And we again challenge you to prove otherwise.
When the substantive difference is that Iweb is a real person, doing real work, expressing an innate wisdom, a wisdom derived from experiences with the natural world. As compared with your misplaced sense of decency and ignorance, critique, which is somebody else’s cultural expression you’ve copied.
You and yours are the unwise here, not Iweb!
Indeed, the must unwise thing that Iweb could have done was to foreswear the fundamental rule for writers, performers, trying to find self-expression, wisdom, within somebody else’s experiences instead of his own.
This is why people like you are so airy-fairy. Imbued with the foolishness which says that the history of mankind is somehow implanted within a few square inches of brain space and that some bossman gave you special insights.
Or in the case of others, pretending there is no history. That all must be forgotten, and we should now sing in some halleluiah chorus.
You have several times sought to argue against the cultural expressions which are Crop Over. You have particularly shown a disdain for the ‘wukking up’.
Go to Kemet and investigate the spiritual dimensions of dance, wukking up, a tradition which existed long before the foolishness which is at your centre. Indeed, there’s even a place in Barbados named after that God of dance. Afrikan dance, wukking up as you are want to call it.
Something dirty, in your demented mind, having nothing to do with spirituality as the Ancient divined.
We would even proffer that even the real, original, Kalahari Bushmen, based on your vacancy about these matters, as click people, will have to abandon such an aged old musical way of speaking to adhere to your misplaced sense of wisdom, decency, Whiteness.
Afrikan peoples have been so expressing themselves for hundreds of thousands of years. Even millions!
It is this very culture which has given us, or informed, all the genres of music known to man. And at every turn there were people like you telling us that there was no wisdom in these expressions, that they were making money off ‘god’s’ music, and so on.
Your kind would have no critique of so-called classical music, which is less than 500 years old. But the source from which it all comes, the backward like you, cannot resist trying to denigrate on the altar of blatant ignorance.
Of course, within your warped mind Iweb could never be speaking to us using a tradition which supersedes all others.
It is a culture which has given us the only musical instrument invented in the twentieth century – the steelpan.
But yet, people like you, and your unread friend, would have us believe that the lived experiences of an Iweb are not properly located in wisdom when they are the ultimate expressions of wisdom.
What utter nonsense!
In your own inimitable style, we would expect the usual rejoinder from the margins. Like a real artist in foolishness, not at all like Iweb.
Pacha, you spent the whole night writing that lotta shiite?
…in response to ‘amen???’
Seems like Bushie spent the night in your consciousness preventing sleep and sending your brain into turmoil…. with just two words “amen and amen”…
..all the while Bushie sleeping sweet as shiite!!!!
Proves that bushmen are ‘out of this world’…
LOL ha ha ha
Champion Sound in UK is
🏆 ABA SHANTI I
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL
Just a word in your ears to alleviate any concerns that you may have regarding ourselves.
We are not any of the following: Bigots / Zealots / Fanatics / Weirdos / Homophobics / Terrorists / Misogynists / False Prophets / Criminals / Subversives / Deviants or Disciples of The Anti-Christ.
Neither are we trying to foster a Psuedo Religious cult / A Political Party or amassing an army to overthrow the elected governments of any country.
‘We are just people, and we believe in justice for all the people’.
▶ The Shanti-Ites “Positive Vibration”
@ David
Boss, this Pension Reform Bill will be the final straw that breaks the back of Bajan brassbowlery.
We will see how many will sign Lynette’s petition….
BUT anytime that a cuntree would allow a group of criminals to do as they like with their life savings, and then permit THAT SAME GROUP to preside over the bankruptcy court case, determine the judgement, and impose the penalty ….ON THE ORIGINAL VICTIMS, – then we KNOW that we are working with idiots.
AT THE VERY LEAST, all Bajans (at least those who have contributed to NIS) MUST be given a say in how this dilemma is addressed.
If they then agree to allow the criminals to CONTINUE to run the scam, then so be it….’amen’!!!
But for the criminals to PRESCRIBE a penalty on the victims; AND to then reinforce their ONGOING access to the savings via ‘ministerial control’ ….imposes the ultimate INSULT to the massive INJURY already done.
…and to think that this was all planned to be executed in the three days before the victims went on their Kadooment spree…. points to A CLEAR CONSPIRACY by the politic…. ahhh criminals.
No wonder Caswell is such an outlier…..
@Bush Tea
A man of your wide reach would have received her voice note?
https://barbadosunderground.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/leastmond.mp3
I am prepared to bet that there are very few minorities worried about working until they reach 68/69/70. Generational wealth easily takes care of that.
I have no problem with citizens being advised to get private pension plans.
I look forward to being convinced vast numbers of workers can actually afford such.
In cricketing terms: if one cannot play Lance Gibbs in full daylight; how you gine play he when the Oval is getting dark.
As my cricketing guru used to tell me , if yuh can’t play the ball when you cud see um how you cud play um when yuh can’t see um.
William…after being exposed to certain studies this year and last year…i just couldn’t allow the pan african charade in Barbados to continue…it’s a horrible injustice at ALL levels…
The impostor players in Barbados did not even know what they dont know…..their own decades old scam exposed them because they were so much in the dark themselves while convinced they could keep the population in the dark permanently…but Karma dont play those sleazy games….now i know why Pacha ignore them…it’s always best to find out these things yaself..
“I am prepared to bet that there are very few minorities worried about working until they reach 68/69/70. Generational wealth easily takes care of that.”
Bookies won’t take bets from the dark side of evil thinkers warped minds.
The illusion of control is a psychological phenomenon that can be particularly effective among the cohort of people most likely to be problem gamblers
informational asymmetry
The starting point is understanding cognitive bias. Humans are irrational – we misjudge reality based on our flawed perception of it. The human brain is incapable of dealing with randomness. We’re obsessed with finding patterns in things because that prevents us from going insane. We want to make sense of things.
I believe they may be some confusion by readers when I say that non contributory pensions need to cease being paid by the NIS as of January 2024.
My point is that by definition a pensions is a monthly payment on retirement paid to an individual based on their payments into a retirement plan. How therefore can someone who has never paid a blind cent into a plan receive a pension from it?
Now if the state wishes to continue making charitable donations to persons at 68 that is fine, but it must come from the consolidated fund as does the free bus rides to children, free education, free health care etc. You can not burden a pension fund paid into by its contributors with charitable payments or social spending. Nor can you expect to have it invest in non returning entities for politcal gain.
The truth is the fund has been mismanaged for decades. Boards have sat back and allowed politicians to use it as the states piggy bank without resigning, with the exception of one person that i can remember.
Unless laws are passed and demanded for by the funds shareholders, they being us the public, the fund will continue to be used as the states short fall bank. In what other country could 1 billion dollars of investors money be written off by a government without a case being heard in the law courts? This alone shows why the fund MUST be protected from political interference going forward if we are to have faith in its future.
Remember young educated Bajans are not as gullible as their parents.
@John A
You point is noted as well as Artax successive governments have never operated on the basis that the NIS is an earned benefit.
John A, included in NIS is a health care contribution, of which the employee and employer pays 1% and 1.50% respectively. I am at a loss as to how your suggestion that the non-contribution be reclassified and paid from the consolidated fund, deemed to be ‘selfishness.’ In other words, payment of the benefit would be simply TRANSFERRED from NIS to the consolidated fund. The original ‘terms and conditions’ applied to the payment (ceteris paribus), would NOT CHANGE. Remember, EVERYONE pays taxes…. either deducted from earnings (PAYE) or directly (VAT).
@ John A
Skippa, perhaps you should take a deep breath and reflect a bit before taking such a dogmatic position on this…
A NATIONAL insurance scheme is actually one of the most COMMUNITY CENTRIC CONCEPTS imaginable. It is the antithesis of the endemic albino-centric philosophy that drives almost everything around us.
Our NIS was conceptualized as a SOCIETAL safeguard for ALL of the citizens of the little shiite place – but ESPECIALLY for the marginalized.
Pooling resources from those who were productive
Investing those resources to enhance income
Leveraging the pooled resources to provide additional opportunities
Offering basic living stipends to create a BASE of reasonable living for retirees.
The intended target beneficiaries was NEVER just the cash contributors – that is how albino-centric thinking works….
It was ALWAYS about the community, and COMMUNITY benefits.
At the same time that a man was working and contributing, he had a wife and family at home providing INVALUABLE support, encouragement and backup when he became ill, upset or was laid off.
He ALSO had brothers, sisters and relatives who BECAUSE OF THE SHIITE SYSTEM WE INHERITED, were unable or unwilling to get a job and contribute formally.
Those who OPENLY BREAK THE LAW and REFUSE to contribute (Like 90% Lawyers, doctors and such greed-mongers) should be PROSECUTED by the Law, and persecuted by the public…. but instead, we envy them.
It is PRECISELY the conflicting albino-centric selfishness of the politicians and those who selfishly and greedily focus on THEIR OWN PERSONAL materialism that has destroyed what was a brilliant scheme.
Of course it would be silly of Bushie to expect that such a brilliant community centric concept could survive in a world of brass bowl selfishness, but it is none the less disappointing to hear such selfish positions articulated openly by highly intelligent bloggers….
“Those who OPENLY BREAK THE LAW and REFUSE to contribute (Like 90% Lawyers, doctors and such greed-mongers) should be PROSECUTED by the Law, and persecuted by the public…. but instead, we envy them.”
You will certainly be glad to hear that IF, i say again, if, this is anything to go by, all that toxicity of pretending their lives alone matter and they should be the only people propering and progressing while everyone else suffers because clowns want to be admired and envied for their circus so much….all of it should become a thing of the past….sooner rather than later.
“AI FILLS MOST JOBS
Replace lawyers, doctors, teachers, ministers, pastors, drivers, pilots, and dozens of other occupations with A.I.”
Dont worry, am actively advocating for the useless nuisance politicians to be replaced….getting ready to keep nuff noise about it too. Seeing as how much i cant stand them and their corruption or anything else following them..
“Unless laws are passed and demanded for by the funds shareholders”
It is the latter. Laws are already in place. Demanded means enforced?
And guess what, without the Annual Reports we haven’t a clue exactly what the NIS ‘invested in’ and that investment experience. We have an idea about the taxpayer hit via CBL, but what was the NIS exposure to Four Seasonings (c Hants).
And elsewhere. What “demanding” was done??
We knew since June ’18 the NIS took a massive hit. Yet, we wait til now to get excited? Did we think our financial leaders had become magicians. The only magic is making funds disappear, their reappearance is rare. The money is already in someone else’s pocket.
@ Bush
In an ideal world what you say could be a consideration but regrettably our fund as it currently stands is in no position to do anything other than what its obligated to.
We have decimated it to such a point that according to our leaders if the changes they want to make are not done, then collapse is a reality.
I have no problem at all with social assistance, i think it is a good thing, however going forward it must come from central government and not the NIS.
So lets look at it differently and ask if the NIS was the Sagicor Pension Plan, would the shareholders allow the board to make non contributory payments to persons? If we are to look at the NIS as a true secure pension plan then it must be run as one. Truth is decades of mismanagement is the reason we are now being asked to work to 68 and why those with 749 or less contributions will no longer qualify for pension.
“In October 1937, Barbados became the first country in the world with a majority population not of white, European racial origin to grant universal pension rights to its citizens”.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What a load of bullshit!!
You will find the principles in the Bible of how to deal with the poor by allowing them to take what was left in the fields after the Harvest.
In Egypt, Africa, the story of Joseph and the Pharoah’s dream which led to the Egyptians stockpiling stores of grain during the 7 years of harvest for the 7 lean years of drought is well known.
In ancient Greece, Rome and England prior to the settlement of the New World, the principles were well known.
The principles carried forward to the New World.
Here’s a bit about the development of the pension scheme in America after the Civil War.
@ Northern
I agree with you 100% in that we dont even know if what is being proposed by the state can save the fund in the absence of audited financials. What therefore is the true state of the fund? Truth is no one knows.
What is the market value of its real estate vs the value it is booked at?
Do the rents being collected by the fund offer an acceptable return on the properties being rented?
Have the losses on the remaining paper held by the fund been reflected in the net value of the paper? After all if you drop the return from 6% to 1, or extended the maturinty of the paper it has to effect its market value does it not?
So yes even with all the changes being proposed how secure really will the fund be in the absence of audited financials bearing in mind the above?
Taxman…..Good morning to you boy. Took you a whole hour to find the Hopi Clown Culture. There I was giving you the benefit of the doubt. Don’t you know its an honour to take on the role of a clown in Hopi culture? Can’t say that about the other culture where Homie is truly offensive.
Bushie
Since it’s shiite why not confront it instead of doing the expected.
Deflection, obfuscation, with the regular psuedo-philosophy made up within your mind, as you go along.
The limits of your imagination have imprisoned the mind to the idea that this writer will take you serious enough to allow such a brassbowl to prevent sleep.
That this writer is within your time zone. See what a rasssoul brassbowl thou art.
David
Somebody had to make the decision ent? Lynette getting a pension btw.🤣🤣🤣
@Enuff
Say you are not about to throw former BLP blue eye girl under the bus. The late OSA would be so upset with YOY.
@Enuff
Somebody had to make the decision ent? Lynette getting a pension btw.🤣🤣🤣
+++++
Petty! Petty! Petty! The 30 MP’s who voted for the changes will also be receiving a pension as soon as they reach the grand old age of 50.
Isn’t it commendable to see someone take a stand on an issue that doesn’t impact them?
Germany was first to develop a modern Social Security program.
Retirement age 70, lowered subsequently to 65.
But cuhdear John A
Why would we NOT aim to create an ideal society?
Also why would you bring SAGICOR as an alternative consideration?
This is like using Hitler as an example of why Martin Luther King was killed.
Sagicor is one of the VERY BEST examples of what has become wrong with Barbados.
A MUTUAL Fund, created and funded by policy-holders, and growing off the backs of ordinary Bajans for decades… up to the point where it became powerful enuff to make a POSITIVE difference to the whole society, when the albino-centrics and the Judases involved, decided to DE-mutualize it, convert the MUTUAL assets into private property – cutting out all these, on whose backs it was built, and eventually selling out to foreign capital albino interests… who now enjoy BILLIONS in profits… while our debts grow…
May God curse that company eternally…
(@ David, when do you plan to do an article on the salary given to the architect of this great Bajan betrayal? … that was published some months ago…? $6M plus p.a. was it not…?)
The NIS is meant to be the DIAMETRICAL opposite to the SAGICOR travesty John A.
Unfortunately we have put jokers in charge who are ‘Sagicor wannabes’, but they are likely to end up bankrupting the whole damn place with their antics…
@Bush Tea
Hoped Walter would have done an article on this matter with his rich bona fides.
Just google origins of social security and don’t depend on what is written by Barbados-Centric lunatics.
I see what I guess was one your classmates passed. A fine fellow.
Contributors to the economy and birth rate.
@ Bush
Yes i agree with you that the de mutualising was not the best thing, but we must be fair and admit today it is a strong pension fund, which a large percentage of companies use as their corporate pension plan. I use them only as a refernce to show the alternative to a state slush fund.
Again i stress there is nothing wrong with state social services but they must come from the consolidated fund going forward and leave the NIS to run as a pension fund in the true sense of the word.
Oh hell! Another senior moment. Imagine typing “fazed” for “phased”, looking at it, thinking it looked funny and still not sure how to fix it! And I am quite a way from sixty-eight! I wonder what mistakes I would be making by then in de people workplace
I thank my lucky stars I won’t have to find out.
Bush Tea on August 6, 2023 at 9:42 AM said:
Rate This
@ John A
Skippa, perhaps you should take a deep breath and reflect a bit before taking such a dogmatic position on this…
A NATIONAL insurance scheme is actually one of the most COMMUNITY CENTRIC CONCEPTS imaginable. It is the antithesis of the endemic albino-centric philosophy that drives almost everything around us.
Our NIS was conceptualized as a SOCIETAL safeguard for ALL of the citizens of the little shiite place – but ESPECIALLY for the marginalized.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The issue is the poor among us of whom we have many.
The original intention was that the needs of the poor would be taken care of through charity. The state entered as the numbers of poor increased and charity was not enough.
The state’s altruistic actions were also motivated by self-interest as the state’s help would ensure unrest would not grow and would actually help the economy as people remained fit for work.
But the politicians realised if it was expanded they would win votes and give them more and more power.
So, more and more benefits were granted requiring more and more contributions …. a principle of socialism where the State takes care of all.
Now this is an “albino-centric” principle, charity has been around throughout the ages … actually it isn’t. The Incas of Peru used it long before the ideas of Karl Marx gained traction.
The non contributors to the state’s scheme are highlighted perpetually but suppose they cannot or do not get a paying job, stay at home mothers for example, or have decided by fair means or foul to take the responsibility to make their own arrangements for their future because they recognise everything the Government touches eventually turns to dust.
Charity is usually but not always found in individuals who have “made it” in life and choose to help the less fortunate.
It is the basis of philanthropy, although not always.
Philanthropy is sometimes disguised money laundering.
NorthernObserver
on August 6, 2023 at 11:02 AM said:
Rate This
I see what I guess was one your classmates passed. A fine fellow.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yup.
Lost touch after school.
Probably won’t make his memorial service but that doesn’t mean I can’t remember him from school.
Bushman……just do me a favour. I usually agree with most of your commentary but please stay away from this lonewolf’s comments because there are 2 too many churlish, childish hit dogs looking to spread rabies on this blog. One agreement and you got plebes in their feelings.
Pacha…..why are you hollering? You got hit? Kef and Kin or Kith and Kin?
Who denigrated Iweb’s song? Did you listen to the first line ’cause all I did was to reverse that line….Is the Brain truly the Center of Wisdom? Is it?
@ Bush Tea
As i said before i support social protection however going forward it must come from the consolidated fund. What we should look at is changing the name of the welfare department and expanding it into including non contributory persons.
So call it say The Depatment Of Social Improvement. Peraonally i find the Wellfare Deprtmant in 2023 sounds degrading to my fellow Barbadians to begin with. It sound truly 1960s
@ John A
We are largely on the same wavelength, but you need to be careful not to get carried away with the overwhelmingly materialistic predisposition of those who judge everything by money, property and power.
We all enjoy different talents and blessings (and curses). It is VERY risky to judge others without knowing the crosses that they may bear…
Some non-contributors may actually be MUCH better and MORE deserving persons, than some of us who paid up our dues for 40+ years.
A scheme that values EVERYONE as participants (and not some as pitiful welfare recipients) is therefore brilliant philosophy.
…anyway, Bushie has no further points to make in this regard.
@John A on August 6, 2023 at 11:31 AM
I agree with you 200%. Barbados has progressed much since the days of mud floor chattel houses so government must start cutting back on the socialism and ONLY provide a basic safety net if we as a society are to progress further.
It can be called Department of Social Care and People Empowerment and have it start by taking over the burden of all pensions both contributory and non-contributory away from NIS.
1) Every person with zero income gets the current non-contributory of $230 per week pension.
2) Everyone making income will get an additional $50 pension per $200 average weekly income for the last five years worked before retirement maxing out at $250 additional pension.
Maximum pension possible from government would be $480 per week i.e. $230 non-contributory + $250 for $1000+ weekly income.
@JohnA
You used to the boss of reminding us how much Bajans love a distraction?
Such are these non-contributory awards. They are a drop in the bucket.
The former MoF should be in jail.
He orchestrated the over-buying of bonds, (home grown financing) he formed and executed CBL, and then oversaw the obviously illegal act, of redirecting NIS contributions from public officers to GoB coffers.
Obviously he was tight with the PM, in the Cabal, and was rewarded for his dastardly acts, by getting a big job at the World Bank.
Don’t get distracted.
Accountability for actions is required. This shit didn’t happen in a vacuum nor overnight. Until you attack the Cabal, the rest is just small, distractions.
Force them into a corner.
Pick your spots.
The RH private sector could help, but after the D’s, they are gun shy, as to who comes next.
West Indies won by 2 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)
Lead the series 2-0
@ Yolande Grant – African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. on August 5, 2023 at 5:13 PM said:
“Did anyone notice who stole the money from the NIS…..billions of dollars, with their criminal sidekicks of the minority……… ”
I’m afraid that those comments have flown over the head of the majority of commentators. One of the Johns stated that the NIS funds have been MISMANAGED. This is the problem we face when commentators are happy to use euphemisms. He should have stated that the funds were looted!!!!!
A number of commentators have stated that there are a number of unworthy poor people who do not deserve to receive such funds. Perhaps they are correct in their assertions. Miraculously they make no mention of the absurd sums of monies received by the usual minority suspects. Are they not aware that these characters have been the largest recipients from the NIS funds?
Paragraphs and paragraphs have been written as to how the NIS can be fixed whilst it remains under the control of a group of crooks. How can that make sense. Remove the foxes if you want to safeguard the hens.
“largest recipients” aka welfare frauds…but fools will never see it as that….they see it as once the thieves are not from the depressed and oppressed areas, they are entitled, wont ever see them as mooching from the fund like the parasites they all are…..the damaged Slave mind..
The cow crook got tens of millions for a Apes Hill club house and fancy pool for racists only, which were dug up and knocked down by the new owners…tens of millions burnt, down the drain, never repaid…every minister, lackie, pimp, fowl etc from both wicked governments should be in prison.
@ Northern
The unions should not now be protesting nor should anyone else. That protest and shutdown should of occured when the billion dollars of contributors money was taken and written off by government.
In what other country could that had happened without serious objection? Could you see that happen in France for example where the people marched and objected to moving the age from 60 to 62? How about the USA or Canada? You think Biden if he had the power so to do, could go into their pension system and right off a billion dollars of the citizens contributions? No sir he would have more law suits than he could count next day, along with demands for his resignation.
So let us now ask ourselves a few questions honestly.
WHAT HAS CHANGED TO STOP THE SAME THING HAPPENING AGAIN? WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO ENSURE NOT PROMISE, THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL NOT FACE A SIMILAR FATE? WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO PROMOTE CONFIDENCE IN THE FUND?
the answer is not one dam thing!!
@John A
Why do we make these unrealistic comparisons to France and other countries where people advocate is a way of life?
“Fraud prevention in Barbados not taken seriously-Mottley administration just lagging!
By: Staff Writer”
October 12, 2021
https://www.caribmagplus.com/fraud-prevention-in-barbados-not-taken-seriously-mottley-administration-just-lagging/
This was brought to my attention days ago…i had to tell the person it will not happen under such corrupt administration…
So who knew that the island had 80 fraud examiners that are never used…only reason i know is because the person is one..
“Barbados should make use of it’s 80 Certified Fraud Examiners when writing the Integrity Bill . .”
@ David
Because our complacency over the years has worked against us and seeing there is no opposition, we the people need to be more outspoken and vigilant. More attention has been paid so far to Kadooment than this issue doesnt that say it all?
The PM is a master strategist and i admire that quality in her. Drop the news before cropopver and the bajans will ignore it and worry bout the next fete. Plus the free one didnt hurt either.
@John A
While your observation is valid Barbadians will not move to being more outspoken and vigilant without relevant events and triggers to influence it, could be the NIS and other issues may converge to influence a tipping point for such behavioural change – it is a process.
David
Events themselves won’t trigger without people.
And not your typical run of the mill who oppose nearly everything.
Imagine if…..the top private sector employers announced all their NIS deductions were going into an escrow account. They would be released when the NIS filed annual reports.
We are doing what the law requires, now it is time for the NIS?
That is powerful. They are not refusing to remit, but remitting with a condition which is the law.
@NO
Acknowledge your point.
Excellent suggestion NO.
This would be a viable move – if our private sector were not even more crooked than the Government is.
When you have not paid VAT in eons and your business is not being prosecuted thanks to the ‘goodwill’ of some minister, you are NOT in a position to take any high moral ground.
When you are the recipient of questionable contracts thanks to ‘high level assurances’, then you are highly unlikely to threaten government with lawful sanctions.
The damn place is TOO FAR GONE for any but the most drastic revolutionary revamping…. which is coming.
Bushie
This gives some in PrivSector, the opportunity to show they have nothing to hide?
Some maybe concerned for future, bec Bim is one vindictive place.
But sometimes you have to do what is proper, and let the cards fall where they may.
Only the politically rabid could twist how the publishing of the required Reports is NOT in the peoples best interest.
“valid Barbadians will not move to being more outspoken and vigilant without relevant events and triggers to influence to influence it”
the secret is to influence the influencers
BU should have some form of digital currency like stock options for employees that are worthless the could be called called budavids.
Each comment on BU that is worthy will receive 20,000 budavids.
Hants on August 6, 2023 at 5:08 PM said:
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West Indies won by 2 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)
Lead the series 2-0
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Unbelievable but good to hear.
At one stage they were 3 for 2 wickets chasing 150 odd.
Come on, my friend. You are misleading the forum. WI lost 2 wickets in the first over. They were 4/2 after 2 overs, and progressed to 33/3 after 4 overs.
Enjoying the performances
“The damn place is TOO FAR GONE for any but the most drastic revolutionary revamping…. which is coming.”
Not a lot of choice left, look at the damage done, while weak minds sit around pretending it’s all normal and natural…in no hurry to end the evil…still promoting the vilest of criminals posing as leaders…., refusing to call out the dangerous, thieves, liars and impostors still poised to deliver more corruption, shame and embarrassment….along with injustice after injustice aimed directly at the population….the equally dangerous enablers..who can aways tell you how things cannot be changed, never how they can.
Good thing no one but those who think just like them…going nowhere…is waiting for them to make decisions to save them…they are on their own reveling in folly.
Bushman…nearly as bad as the NIS scandalous disaster..only because they int get to RoB nuhbody..except those who foolishly invested their money in that still illegal shitshow…….sources disclose they are failing MISERABLY in the medical marijuana fraud they created..people are running away from them…claiming too much confusion…the only thing ya get from scammers.
Atrax we are both right!!
At the stage I entered and turned back it was 2 down for 3 runs!!
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Brandon King, 0.1 ov), 2-2 (Johnson Charles, 0.4 ov), 3-32 (Kyle Mayers, 3.4 ov), 4-89 (Rovman Powell, 9.5 ov), 5-126 (Nicholas Pooran, 13.6 ov), 6-128 (Romario Shepherd, 15.1 ov), 7-128 (Jason Holder, 15.4 ov), 8-129 (Shimron Hetmyer, 15.6 ov) •
Yes, John. I re-read your comment, which I erroneously thought you meant WI was 2 runs for 3 wickets, when I first read it. Appologies to you.
Pacha …seems some states already started….just a matter of time now..
“The current reaction comes after media pointed out states using AI to set bail and distribute welfare benefits.”
John
I have need of your expertise. What can you tell me about a slaveowner of Barbados … William Lynch. I am trying to research if he was real.
Pacha…gotta give them the 2 years they were unable to use the Spring Garden route…but damn, you have the 50 year old template so how did they manage to screw up the timing….cant speak for blue box cart and the christian band but we got there about 2:30 and did not see the first band until after 4pm..and then only 2 or 3…someone messed up…the bands will be coming down well into the night…late…
But they had a very large, colorful and diverse crowd all along the highway.
Old Geezer on August 7, 2023 at 4:49 PM said:
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John
I have need of your expertise. What can you tell me about a slaveowner of Barbados … William Lynch. I am trying to research if he was real.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What year???
if 1817 to 1834, search this site.
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1129/
Alternatively, you can check this site and you will get access to whatever burials, marriages or baptisms that are recorded the parochial registers.
Most Quakers won’t be recorded.
No William Lynches before 1700.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/
“The Congress takes issue with the fact that the government, as the custodian of the assets of the people of Barbados, would allow companies and individuals to run up debts to the NIS. This is nothing short of severe dereliction of duty and makes a mockery of the governance model,” De Peiza stated.
“For the government to engage in the practice of writing off debts owed to the NIS, along with VAT [Value Add Tax] payments due to the Barbados Revenue Authority, is to allow the society to sink deeper into a morass of decadence.
“This brings into question whether the government is really living up to the boast of transparency when it resorts to a policy of writing off monies owed to the state, and where those who fail to keep their commitment and obligations to the state as guided by law, remain the beneficiaries,” he stressed.
The union leader questioned the extent to which those written-off funds could have been invested as a means of lessening the severity of the intended measures to the National Insurance Scheme.
“It would seem that the government has turned a blind eye to safeguarding the interest of the next generation of workers, by ensuring that they cannot benefit significantly from a pension in their senior years. It would also appear that the government is more preoccupied with satisfying its main interest of correcting its actions which have threatened the stability of the Fund,” De Peiza suggested.”
Ther was a William Fracis Lynch who owned a few slaves in 1832,
He was an FM, Free Mulatto!!!!!!!!!!!
Could be an ancestor of Chally Jones or Sir Douglas Lynch.
Source: Nation
Brought to my attention last night that a Nationnews article was written by the NIS, VAT and Treasury write off artist of thefts…that your savings accounts are needed for pilfering…guess they are trying to cover up the aforementioned ….RoB on the job again..
I asked but did not get an electronic version of the article…
Am sure the Slave-minded wont mind being RoB-ed for the cause…since they enabled all of it and still refuse to call it thefts, lies, fraud…..
…everyone else does though….renowned thieves setting policies for more thefts does not sit well…it’s nonprogressive and nondevelopmental.
“Under its economic reform programme and arrangement with the International Monetary Fund, Government has committed to submitting NIS financial statements for the period 2010 to 2021 for audit by the Auditor General by March next year.”
This is the date by which a new entity must be up and operational, to avoid sending anything to the AudGen.
If the BTMI is any example, anything issued will be “unqualified”, meaning auditors have deemed the information incomplete, and hence cannot ‘qualify’ (have any minimum level of confidence in) their report.
BUT, the editor who penned for the Nation needs to also know, what the Act governing the NIS says.
33.(1) The Board shall
(a) in each year prepare a report on its activities in its last preceding year and shall furnish such report to the Minister no later than the thirtieth day of June
(b) submit to the Minister every account, certified by the Auditor-General pursuant to Section 30, together with the report of the Auditor-General thereon, within one month of certification; and
(c) submit annually to the Minister an account of the securities in which moneys forming part of the Fund are for the time being invested
(2) The Minister shall cause a copy of every report of account submitted to him pursuant to the Section to be laid on the table before both Houses.
Hence, there has never been any reason why audited (or otherwise) financials have delayed (a) and (c), albeit, without detailed specificity, the investments of the NIS funds have appeared on their website(s) from time to time (as reported by the NIS)
The Editor needs to contact those various Board Chairs from 2006 on, and seek explanation on 33(a). Did they submit such to the Minister? If they did not, why not? And if they did, we now have a legal issue (failure to comply with the Act) as to why such reports were not ‘laid on the table before both Houses’ by the Minister receiving them.
To aid the editor here are the Chairs
Sir Richard Cheltenham, Q.C.: 2005 to 2008
Mr. Jepter Ince: 2008 to 2009
Ms. Sandra Forde: 2009 to 2010
Mr. Keith “Tony” Marshall: 2010 to 2011
Dr. Justin Robinson: 2011 to 2018
Mr. Ian Gooding-Edghill, M.P.: 2018 to 2020
Mr. Leslie Haynes, Q.C.: 2020 to Present
Thanks NO for your contributions to this matter. The blogmaster will highlight separately.