NIS hosts Social Security meet

Directors of social security from 15 CARICOM territories gathered here this week, to discuss the issues and challenges facing social security in the region.

The meeting hosted by the National Insurances Services (NIS) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and CARICOM under the theme “Collaborating for organizational and health improvement”, looked at the issues affecting social security in the region.{{more}}

At the opening ceremony which took place on Sunday at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown, Chairman of the NIS Lennox Bowman said that the meeting is taking place when social security is faced with a number of economic and social challenges. Some of the challenges he listed included fiscal and debt imbalances, migration, illegal drugs, crime and violence and HIV/AIDS.

Bowman said that these challenges will in some ways, affect the way social security is going to be administered, and called on the delegates to develop strategies to deal with them.

Also addressing the delegates was International Social Security Association Secretary General Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, who reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to working along with CARICOM, and called on members to constantly adapt to the region’s changing societies.

Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves also addressed the delegates, and stated that he has confidence that the region is capable of dealing with the social and economic issues and security concerns that are affecting them.

The meeting comes to a close today. (JJ)