Director of the Dominica Social Security (DSS), Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas, has said that the DSS is awaiting passage of the requisite legislative provision to give effect to a recommendation by the institution to provide relief to persons who have been impacted as a result of the disruption in business due to Covid-19.
Prime Minister Skerrit said recently that he had approved the use of $8 million dollars from the DSS’ redundancy fund to help finance his government’s measures to assist citizens who have been affected due to Covid-19.
He has since been criticised by some members of the public and the opposition leader for his use of that money with one of his critics threatening to take the matter to court.
However, at a press briefing held this week, Jean-Jacques Thomas gave the DSS’ reason for making the recommendation.
“The Dominica Social Security as the major pillar of Dominica’s social protection mechanism and like almost all other social security systems within CARICOM felt it necessary to take action to recommend a measure that would provide a level of income relief to insure persons who has been displaced from work as a result of disruption in business due to the CoronaVirus,” the DSS Director said.
She said the International Labour Organization was consulted on possible measures which could be adopted at this time to provide social protection to workers and their recommendations included consideration of the introduction of an emergency unemployment benefit
Jean-Jacques Thomas stated further that the firm of Morneau Shepell, in a special bulletin of Covid-19 for Caribbean Social Security Institutions, advised, “If you do not yet have an unemployment benefit, it is possible and feasible to introduce one during a recession, without prior funding or additional contributions.”
She added the Dominica Social Security received “support and advice” from an actuary from the firm of Morneau Shepell, on how this could be accomplished without jeopardizing the sustainability of the fund.
The DSS official explained that the proposal was to utilize part of the reserves in the redundancy fund which was established under the Protection of Employment Act and being administered by the DSS on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, and part of the reserves of the Employment Injury Branch of social security to offer income support in the form of a temporary unemployment assistance benefit.
She said the proposal was discussed among management staff at the DSS, after which it was adopted by the board of directors. It was then forwarded to the prime minister who advised that the institution consults with the private sector organizations to apprise them of its intentions and to report back to him.
“Consequently the Dominica Social Security held meetings with the Dominica Employers Federation [DEF], the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association [DHTA] and the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) whereupon they pledged their support for the initiative,” Jean-Jacques Thomas stated.
She said on that basis, a report was then submitted to Prime Minister Skerrit for approval for the special facility.
“At this juncture, we are awaiting communication on the way forward and passage of the requisite legislative provision to give effect to the initiative,” she indicated.
The DSS Director expressed confidence that the implementation of this initiative would serve to relieve the plight of affected workers, while also assisting in the stimulation of economic activity by virtue of this injection of funds into the economy.
“Such action will simultaneously yield benefits to the social security system since employees within certain sectors could continue to be employed, thereby generating spinoffs to social security for the continued payments of contributions at a time where there would otherwise be a downturn in contributions income,” Jean-Jacques Thomas noted.
I don’t like nor condone, nor encourage thivery and Bobol and immature behaviour in our Government. We don’t recognize Baby in Adults still suckling fingers to be head of our government, referred to as failed incompetent Questionable immature Odd Skerrit.
This man Skerrit and his failed questionable Labour government has failed our people and our Dominica. This man must get lost.
We need urgently a change of this failed incompetent Questionable Skerrit and in his blind bats of Labour government. These people lead by Skerrit is just a fanfare and a failure. This man has killed our agriculture, economy and reduced our people’s lives in to poverty, thru devious behaviour in our Government and Dominica. These people are dangerous 😂 and politically immature who lacks focus and attention to details of socioeconomic development. Bunch of hopeless people headed by the worse, incompetent failed Skerrit. We had enough of this failed incompetent Skerrit and his failed questionable Labour.
But wait nuh?
The law makes certain employers contribute to that fund in case an employee gets redundant
The government want to borrow that money? What are the repayment terms?
And MOST IMPORTANTLY, who will get that money? The same employees on whose behalf the money was paid? Then in that case the government DID NOT HELP THEM
Now what if another set get the money and the ones on whose behalf it was paid really gets redundant. Where is their money?
This is a true case of embezzlement, using the money to pay long time supporters and re-employed the same people. This occur when no one in office keep proper records and not audited every three months. the benefit of two terms in office, after which you tend to run out of ideas.
Another Samson and De-lie-lah movie this time played on Broadway. Me already see this type of movie b4 so me not even care to watch it again. Just more lies on a different day, using different actors.
The question i gotta ask, wasn’t Maria a much bigger crisis than Corona? And this wasn’t thought of being done.
DSS is primarily for retirement and people pay into the DSS hoping they have that social security for when they either retire or get disabled. Currently the DSS has been increasing contribution rates and the age of retirement so they have to do a much better job at explaining that sudden availability of funds. The vaie-key-vaie double check of one person cannot validate this decision. What happens if a hurricane hits this year, are they gonna drain the fund further? Thats a gate once open it cant close. Dominica has over 25% unemployment for decades, is unemployment benefits going to be a regular thing? If so, then how long til DSS is bankrupt, what measures are they going to take to sure up the fund? Retirement at age 75? DSS at 25% of income?
This lady is a joke.
Why are we still even discussing this DSS nonsensical proposal or authorization/ whatever?
The only question I have is; WHERE IS OUR 1.2 Billion (Passport money) AND THE $400 MILLION (Airport Fund) ???? Leave social security and IMF money where it is because we have FREE money in these funds. What part of this cant the nincompoop PM understand? Oh Jesus Christ man!!! Why are Dcans so death, dumb, blind and stupid even when it comes to saving their own selves? The time to remove these guys from office has long come and gone. Lennox and Ken Vital needs to call a public meeting as soon as quarantine is over and declare themselves PM and President just like Guido did in Venezuela. Yes I said it!! Then we will hear from the US and others publicly.
Hopefully man like ZED (the revolutionist) will see it fit to come and join in instead of staying in NY and runing his mouth
Skerit,Seriously, bosom body Mia Mortley has unveiled over 2BILLION STIMULUS package plan for her people, where is yours for Dominicans?
People, are you all still sleeping?
I know Ms. Jean-jacques very well and all I want to say to her is be very careful with PM Skerrit because when we look at some of his top friends and where they are today, friends like Diezani Madueke, NG Lap Seng, Aliereza Monfared, Nicholas Maduro and many many more, she better be very very careful. My parents would always say to me “show me your friends and I will tell you who you are” and the old Proverb still reminds us that birds of a feather always flock together. So Ms. Jean-jacques I know you found yourself in a very awkward position trying to do what is good but please remember who you are dealing with.
Im not political or partisan. I just want to know who stole the cookies from the cookies jar? https://youtu.be/ert9zlCx21E
Thou shalt not steal Exo.20:15
Wow boy what an expose’ that took place on the airways of Dominica! Skerrit all but went on kairi to disclose to the nation how he was going to syphon $8 million dollars from the DSS into God knows where. Thank God he was caught and exposed on Q95. The man made a complete Uturn that Almost caused Ms. Jean-jacques and Mr. Ettiene to burst in tears on Q95 as they tried to clear the air. But to be fair to them the more they tried to help PM the more they seem to have exposed the PM Wii boy
That was a very bad Covid-19 week for PM and I hope he doesn’t go and pass his rage on us and put us on more lockdown.
Mrs Jean jaque and Mr. Ettiene i say cudos to you guys coming on the radio station answer questions and clarify the situation. You guys sounded like you needed parliament approval to implement a policy controlled by DSS. While the PM said he approved 8 million from the SS which his government can use to give financial assistance as he see fit. The funds are coming from the redundancy reserve set aside by employers. If you guys already have a fund that is there to help people who are furloughed like the hotels and those who loose their jobs why does government need to be involved. Yes CoVID is unusual circumstances but most times people lose jobs is for same reason. Lack of business. The folks who lost work should simply apply. If DSS just need parliament approval why did Skeritt send letter saying he will not accept the money if it just DSS trying to help. You see skerrit in his desire to deceive will destroy all you guys integrity. This guy needs to give account for money declared.
What i am confused about is they are saying there is no law to give unemployment benifits and also that money was to help only those putting into fund not for everyone. However there is a fund for furloughed or laid off employees. Is that not and unemployment benifit? To set up that fund there must have been a mechanism in place for disbursement. Lets say COVID came business not good so employers have to lay off employees. Hotels must furlough employees because when this over and things get to normal they get staff back. Hence all these folks should apply to access these funds for which the are set up. Social security it is. I think somewhere in there the government may have been told they could access that fund do as please but would need parliament approval. So PM come run his mouth and got caught. If it is to be disbursed by SS then why PM say he dont need anymore. He still have to give account for all passport money and airport account. Deception will come back bite you.
Alibaba tried something but this time his tongue was too long and he was caught naked. Remember the story is about Alibaba and the forty thieves so after he got caused he simply called a co conspirator to change the story but unfortunately the two stories are so different than even a blind judge would see. So when Alibaba really saw that he was trapped he said he no longer interested in the deal because it too controversial and, his co conspirator was left sorry. I hope Alibaba realize that our eyes are glued on him and we not going to give him a chance to steal from us again
Skerrit has placed his foot soldiers in critical positions throughout the civil service to do his bidding. This lady, Jean Jacques Thomas, is obviously one of Skerrit’s fiercest and most loyal bootlickers. All these consultations she spoke about are tall tales. Skerrit does not consult, he dictates. The DSS has been hemorrhaging contributions in the recent past due to the departure of ROSS and the permanent closure and downsizing of many businesses. Insolvency and ruination of this once financially sound institution is not farfetched.
Skerrit stop follow what the USA is doing that relief money was given to tax payers and they have to pay it back but you just throwing the country money to all the lazy Dominicans that don’t want to work why don’t you raise working front line workers pay I’m so tired of that shxxt
you know and the funny thing about USA they just PRINTING money even the federal bank officials basically said they have an unlimited money source, like what really if people can’t see that something not right I don’t know when people will wake up
@Covidiots Dominican, join the club you don’t seem to be that educated neither going by that lump of crap you written in a matter of fact you make no sense at all no wonder you following Linton, and his
Covidiots cult bunch of whingers and losers.
I listen to Mrs. Jean Jacques and her sorry self almost wanting to cry on the ‘Talk On The Block,’ and how hurt she was that this thing was made political. Really Mrs. Jean Jacques?? I want to suggest next time you step into a talk show setting whether it be on Kairi, DBS and or Q95 try to get rid or better yet leave your emotions outside the door. The the hurt you speak of sounded so childish , unprofessional and pitiful it made me want to puke! The politics started on Saturday night when your favorite PM put his foot in his mouth as usual then turned to people like you to come do damage control. I love listening to other islands protocols, where similar proposals are being put forward but they are fully discussed with all and sundry, here we tend to do differently and to allow one man to steal the show. BTW, Please don’t allow your hurt feelings to get worst, for the PM has discarded the proposal after he publicly informed of its approval. This foolishness shall pass one day!
Where is the states money from the sale of our Passports that this incompetent Skerrit and his failed questionable Labour government need to be questioned and answer to us we the struggling tax payers of Dominica.
No wonder these outrageous Labour government clowns can’t answer us, we the People. This failed corrupted Labour Government is dmust be held accountable and this Odd Minister Skerrit must give answers to our people and country and account first the whereabouts of our tax money and those that came from overseas to benefit the development of our suffering and poor people that failed Skerrit and this obvious corrupted Labour government that has reduced us to poverty where Skerrit as Odd Minister killed our agriculture, open the abusive Red Clinic and gave out thousands of money from Our hard working Dominicans towards development that this clown Skerrit used as his papashow decisive, corrupted abusive Fraudulent Red Clinic ……. We need answers, if not police pick him up.
@Viewsexpressed,
Ladyboy what a plunker you are to asked such a crap question “where is the money from the sale of passports” Linton, is the best person to ask that question he is the one who is feeding you lots with lies and crap ask him!
Silver fox – no. Rabies fox – yes. This illness drives them mad eventually. You are already showing all the symptoms.
Where is the states money from the sale of our Passports that this incompetent Skerrit and his failed questionable Labour government need to be questioned and answer to us we the struggling tax payers of Dominica.
No wonder these outrageous Labour government clowns can’t answer us, we the People. This failed corrupted Labour Government must be held accountable and this Odd Minister Skerrit must give answers to our people and country and account first the whereabouts of our tax money and those that came from overseas to benefit the development of our suffering and poor people that failed Skerrit and this obvious corrupted Labour government that has reduced us to poverty where Skerrit as Odd Minister killed our agriculture, open the abusive Red Clinic and gave out thousands of money from Our hard working Dominicans towards development that this clown Skerrit used as his papashow decisive, corrupted abusive Fraudulent Red Clinic thievery. We need answers, if not police must pick him…
Really!!!!!!!
The is PM such an incompetent leader yet he on his 4th term in office?
People like you just confirmed the reason why Dominica is so backward. Only in Dumb-in-a -can Skerrit would complete one term let alone four. No wonder Christopher Columbus called it Dumb-in-a-can. We have some bright people but too many dummies
@Covidiots Dominican, join the club you don’t seem to be that educated neither going by that lump of crap you written in a matter of fact you make no sense at all no wonder you following Linton, and his
Covidiots cult bunch of whingers and losers.
That is the irony pal for true. For him everything is for sale and as long as he can buy an election he will win. Our people too daft to realise is with their money he is buying election and when they must suck salt they blaming someone else. I give up on our people they too much like.
sheep.
Based on the heading,
It’s not ss money it’s the people’s money
You mean “Government Social Security” not “Dominica” cause is government that money securing.
allu was elated to go and put a red shirt and jump. Kool out was making dindang, go and get a cool out now. 
Where all the money we had bringing down Popcorn , and the others down ?
The big money we send to Jamaica? What you have to show for it today? Some pictures on your facebook? It’s like the lot of y’ll dont think. Instead of wanting the money in your pocket so you can pay your internet bill or pay a course. You going and jump up to Popcorn, and today all of us sucking salt and begging for goverment relief while Popcorn in his mansion. An when you try to talk to young people hear dem ” You doe want us to free up dennnnn” . Free up now nuh, lemme see allu. Instead to tell the government they doing rubbbish, big artist in Dominica back to back give you the money to do a course( then again look they not going and pay school for allu again
Doh worry with all the crap skereit doing he wraps them around his baby finger so quickly at the end all ù hearing is Labourrrrrrrr labbooooour. Magere dcans maggee skerrit just good for dem. Me self i working hard for my dollar is not skerrot that feeding mè eh. All dem know what skerrit is doing is rubbish but when de boss speak whatever he says goes eh.. they grumbling after den they coming and talk rubbish about it hurts. Smdh
skerrit knwe why he was placing his handlers in top jobs…. they cannot turn back now lol…. alas
This is another one of Skerrit’s faithful followers. How can that woman stand in front of us and try to justify this disgraceful move of the PM. Here job is to manage and guard our pensions and health ‘insurance’. What does she do? Exactly the opposite! Let the PM put his sticky fingers in yet another of our sweaty jars without as much as a protest. Skerrit as done a super job in putting his ‘friends’ in all those key positions so he can rest assured that he will never ever get any opposition from within.