Survivors Benefits To Include Both Sexes

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You & Your Family

Tuesday, 28 December 2010 06:55

By caribarena news

The Social Security Board is hoping to rectify inequalities in the recognition of benefits due to widows/widowers. This followed a question posed in response to a Caribarena.com article, where a reader suggested that only women are qualified to receive survivors' benefits.

"Regrettably, the ABSSB admits that a gender bias does currently exist in the Social Security Act & Regulations in relation to the treatment of widows and widowers," an authority at the Board responded.

"These inequalities have been identified and have been addressed in a draft of suggested amendments to the Social Security Act & Regulations which have been forwarded to the Minister. When changes are made, the ABSSB will be undertaking public education initiatives to advise all contributors and beneficiaries of changes to the Social Security Act & Regulations."

Another question related to the possible duplication of payment when a worker qualifies to receive extended sick leave.

The posted suggested, "I see here double payment, the SS is paying ... while the employer is also paying the employee full salary for the illness period. (2 weeks max). Can you clarify please?"

The response: "At present, the ABSSB does in fact pay 60% of insurable earnings up to a maximum of $4,500 to private sector employers. This fulfills Social Security’s obligations according to statute.

Social Security has no control over employers and the amounts they pay their employees. This is outlined in The Antigua & Barbuda Labour Code; employee contracts and their Collective Agreements which govern all aspects/areas of working conditions between employers and employees."

Caribarena.com subsequently spoke to an official at the Labour Office, who explained that inconsistencies in the two laws governing the payment of benefits result in employers being legally obligated to pay employees for up to 12 days of sickness, while the Social Security Act then stipulates that Social Security will pay benefits beginning on the third day of illness.

There has never been any attempt to rectify this, according to the source.

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