Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe yesterday defended the government's decision not to provide medical insurance coverage for dependents of members of the security branches who join after July 1, 2023, telling the Police Staff Association it is not a trade union and does not need to be consulted because the policy does not impact officers who are currently serving.

Munroe said new recruits who will enroll before July 1 won't be caught by the policy.

"I've read what the Police Staff Association says," he said.

"They have to understand that they are not a trade union. They were not consulted because nothing that is being done affects anybody who is a serving policeman.

"Everyone who is a serving policeman today, or police person signed up in recruitment, or defense force personnel or in recruitment, or BDOCs (prison) personnel or in recruitment, the release makes it plain – nothing changes for you.

"So, when we go to recruit towards the end of this year, for incoming correctional officers, for incoming police officers, for incoming defense force personnel, they will be told your compensation and benefits only include single family coverage, as happens in the private sector.

"Now, if they aren't willing to be recruited and work under those conditions, then of course they won't proceed for recruitment. These are people who are not engaged in any way in the security forces at this moment."

Munroe has previously said that he met a deficit of 900 police officers when he took office.

Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Dr. Raymond King has also said the agency he leads needs to recruit 3,000 officers to offset the effects of attrition.

Munroe was asked how the government justified decreasing the benefits to be offered to potential new officers, given the challenges that already exist with recruitment.

"It's not a decrease," he claimed.

"The justification for single medical coverage for the security forces is that they put themselves in danger. So, the defense force marine officer puts himself in danger. The correctional officer puts himself in danger. The police officer puts himself in danger.

"That person will still get medical insurance. The person who will not get medical insurance is the person who does not work for the Bahamas government. So, the persons who aren't covered are the people who don't work for the Bahamas government. And that's the family members. But there's available for them to cover that, just as in a private firm. They provide single coverage and you can pay for additional coverage.

"So, the new recruit will have to determine, 'do I want to take a job where they cover me free of charge and permit me to cover my family as an expense or is that such a thing that I'm not willing to take that job?'

"The officer who is engaged now because he has that benefit can never lose it and nobody is proposing to take it from them, and it's really as simple as that. So, anytime you apply for a job, you know what the pay is, what the benefits are, and you're able to decide I'm willing to take that job or I'm not willing to take that job."

The Ministry of National Security yesterday defended the decision to amend the insurance coverage of members of the security branches, saying it was made after consideration of the financial implications on the government's budget.

However, Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright called the decision "disgraceful and heartless".

But the ministry said, "This decision was made after thorough consideration of the financial implications on the government's budget. The government currently spends over $80 million a year on private insurance, with the majority covering individuals who are not employees."

The ministry said the policy change "aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of the medical insurance program while maintaining the necessary support for our security branch members".

"We have taken great care to balance fiscal responsibility with the well-being and protection of our dedicated law enforcement personnel. We acknowledge the sacrifices and dedication of our law enforcement officers in standing on the front line on behalf of the Bahamian people," the ministry said.

"We are committed to ensuring that all law enforcement officers receive medical health insurance protection."

The post Munroe defends govt's decision on insurance for families of future uniformed officers appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

The post Munroe defends govt's decision on insurance for families of future uniformed officers appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

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