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Unemployment benefits budgeted for until September

Fri, May 28th 2021, 04:39 PM
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STATE Minister for Finance Kwasi Thompson said the government has budgeted for the extension of unemployment benefits until September.

“It’s about trying to transition from the government continuing to pay out the unemployment benefits to the government now finding ways to stimulate the private sector to create employment,” he said.
#Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson said the Ministry of Social Services has seen a bump up in their budget. According to the 2021/2022 budget, the department has received $81.5m, about $20m more than last year’s allocation.
#Mr Johnson said: “If come September those persons are still unemployed, the plan is to transition them off to a Social Services programme.”
#Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said on Wednesday that $118m was spent in government funded unemployment assistance, including direct cash for unemployed and self-employed Bahamians.
#“While neighbouring countries may have only provided unemployment assistance for up to three months, my government made the conscious decision and have committed thus far to extend unemployment assistance for some 15 months already to end July 2021,” Dr Minnis said.
#“While neighbouring countries may have only provided unemployment assistance for up to three months, my government made the conscious decision and have committed thus far to extend unemployment assistance for some 15 months already to end July 2021.”
#Dr Minnis said up to March 2021, $25.9m was spent on COVID-19 public health and safety measures to ensure the healthcare system and healthcare workers had what they needed to function.
#Thirty-two and a half million dollars was spent in social assistance, mostly through the food assistance programme.
#Forty-four and a half million dollars was spent as part of a payroll support programme which allowed private businesses to use tax credits to pay their employees.

“It’s about trying to transition from the government continuing to pay out the unemployment benefits to the government now finding ways to stimulate the private sector to create employment,” he said.

Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson said the Ministry of Social Services has seen a bump up in their budget. According to the 2021/2022 budget, the department has received $81.5m, about $20m more than last year’s allocation.

Mr Johnson said: “If come September those persons are still unemployed, the plan is to transition them off to a Social Services programme.”

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said on Wednesday that $118m was spent in government funded unemployment assistance, including direct cash for unemployed and self-employed Bahamians.

“While neighbouring countries may have only provided unemployment assistance for up to three months, my government made the conscious decision and have committed thus far to extend unemployment assistance for some 15 months already to end July 2021,” Dr Minnis said.

“While neighbouring countries may have only provided unemployment assistance for up to three months, my government made the conscious decision and have committed thus far to extend unemployment assistance for some 15 months already to end July 2021.”

Dr Minnis said up to March 2021, $25.9m was spent on COVID-19 public health and safety measures to ensure the healthcare system and healthcare workers had what they needed to function.

Thirty-two and a half million dollars was spent in social assistance, mostly through the food assistance programme.

Forty-four and a half million dollars was spent as part of a payroll support programme which allowed private businesses to use tax credits to pay their employees.

 

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