MPs slammed for subpar take-up of elderly welfare
Published:Wednesday | April 27, 2022 | 12:11 AM
Minister of Labour and Social Security Karl Samuda has lamented the failure of some members of parliament (MPs) to submit the names of 300 elderly people in their constituencies who stand to benefit under the Government’s Social Pension Programme.
In his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on Tuesday, Samuda said he was disappointed with some of his parliamentary colleagues who have not done enough to help the poor.
“These are benefits that will accrue to the poor, so if you come here and bawl about poor people and tear down the place with tears, and when you get an opportunity to do something about it, you don’t,” Samuda said.
He also praised some MPs who have done well in responding to the Ministry of Labour’s request to recommend unemployed youngsters to find elderly people in the various constituencies who might be eligible for benefits under the Social Pension Programme.
However, he said that some MPs have not yet responded to the request.
The programme was implemented last year for persons 75 years and older.
Prospective beneficiaries should not be receiving a private or public pension, other retirement income, or social protection benefits and must not be institutionalised within a government-owned facility.
Samuda reported that some 2,000 elderly Jamaicans received payment under the scheme on July 15 last year. At the end of the financial year in March 2022, the number increased to 7,412. The Government paid out approximately $200 million to beneficiaries.
According to Samuda, the ministry will be working to increase the number of beneficiaries to 20,000 during the current financial year.
He said the Government will be rolling out life certificates during the first quarter of the fiscal year to ensure that persons who are registered and in receipt of payments under the Social Pension Programme are eligible to continue to receive these sums.