The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The National Insurance Board (NIB) is aiming to launch the $10m unemployment benefit scheme for self-employed persons by this Friday, its director told Tribune Business.

Dr Nicola Virgil-Rolle confirmed that the social security scheme had last week seen "an uptake and increase in applications" for unemployment and other benefits as the hotel and tourism sectors led the plunge in economic activity.

Tribune Business understands that security had to control access to NIB's Blue Hill Road headquarters late last week due to a surge in persons applying for benefits due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Rolle, meanwhile, added: "We will be collaborating with the Government on the self-employed person's unemployment benefit scheme for persons impacted by COVID-19 in the tourism sector, as announced by the deputy prime minister and minister for finance. That should be ready to launch late next week. By Friday we look to have this programme launched."

The Government has provided $10m for a "temporary unemployment benefit", to be administered by the National Insurance Board (NIB), and targeted at self-employed persons in the tourism industry such as jet ski operators, taxi drivers, straw vendors and tour operators.

These persons do not normally qualify for NB unemployment benefits, but will receive $200 per week for up to eight weeks. They must be registered with NIB. Persons who are temporarily laid-off will also be eligible for NIB's standard 13-week unemployment benefit, while sickness benefits will be available for those who catch or have to quarantine because of COVID-19.

Dr Rolle said she was focused on ensuring NIB staff are "following good social distancing". The Board's offices will remain open during the pandemic to serve customers, and she said: "We have no plans on closing, and we are ensuring that pensions are being paid and claims and other benefits are being paid."

"We have been designated as one of those agencies that need to stay open, and we are following the emergency orders to remain open."

Dr Rolle said NIB was unable to provide estimates for the expected increase in jobless benefit claimants, and added: "We are still running those actuarial numbers on the prospective increase in persons seeking claims, and we will release those numbers when they become available."