New law on social security will keep current benefits
Presenting the Social Security Bill 2010 to the assembly for consideration, Minister for Finance Danny Faure said many things can be done to improve a country’s economy but there are some things that can never be touched.
In the case of the Bill to replace the Social Security Act, it will maintain the continuity of all social benefits – the noble principles that touch all Seychellois workers – he added.
When the new Bill comes into operation as the Social Security Act, the minister responsible for social security will set up a board of trustees to ensure the investment portfolio of the Social Security Fund is managed efficiently and its assets well preserved.
A director to be appointed by President James Michel will be in charge of managing the fund.
The Bill also provides for a medical board to be set up to help the minister and the director in their work. Its main function will be to decide on all medical matters connected with entitlement to benefits.
This board will consist of at least two medical practitioners to be appointed by the minister, who will also appoint one of its members as the chairperson. The quorum of the board will also be determined by the minister.
Mr Faure admitted there are certain procedures of the Social Security Fund that need to be improved and he assured the assembly that these will be looked into.
The aims will include reducing the length of time people have to wait for their case to be processed, ensuring there is more efficiency in service delivery and giving the public enough clear information so they know what benefit they are entitled to.
Members from both sides of the House who spoke after Mr Faure all welcomed the fact that the Bill will maintain all the social benefits, but at the same time they highlighted cases that need to be reconsidered.
These, they said, include the possibility of lifelong benefits for people with permanent medical or physical conditions, a review of survival benefits, and the position of children who have both parents in prison.
In his summing-up, Mr Faure said all important points raised by the members will be looked into.