NIB has paid out 263 million due to Dorian, COVID-19

Fri, Jun 11th 2021, 07:29 AM

Between August 25, 2019, and May 18, 2021, NIB spent $15.6 million on Dorian survivors and government-funded Dorian extension programs, $16 million on self-employed government-funded unemployment assistance programs, $134.6 million on the government-funded unemployment extension program and $97.4 million on the national insurance unemployment benefit.

In total, 85,374 individuals benefited from this assistance, according to data provided by Rolle in the House of Assembly.

“Mr. Speaker, I just spoke with the minister of state for finance and there are a couple of people who have legitimate cases as to why they should receive assistance,” said Rolle during the 2021/2022 budget debate.

“We know that. We know things are tough. Now, I’m advised by the minister of state that we will find a formula to do something. So I say to those individuals, those deserving individuals, hold on. We’re going to take care of you. We’re going to do it because it is the right thing to do. We are going to make sure that families are maintained, that people can eat.”

As the tourism industry and many businesses not directly related to tourism came to a standstill due to the pandemic, unemployment numbers swiftly rose with widespread layoffs.

Last month, the director of labor estimated that the unemployment rate was about 20 percent. 

In December 2019, the unemployment rate stood at 10.7 percent, according to the Department of Statistics.

“As you know, the unemployment benefit was very crucial over the last two years,” Rolle said.

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