MORE THAN $170,000 PAID OUT SO FAR IN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS PACKAGE

Labour Minister, Hon. Vincent Wheatley told the House of Assembly that more than 6,000 residents applied for unemployment benefit through the Social Security Board (SSB).

Hundreds of workers were laid off due to the onset of Covid-19, particularly workers in the hospitality sector.

According to the Minister, more than $176,000 have been paid out so far and while the payments appear to be protracted, persons must appreciate that COVID-19 underemployment/unemployment benefit is not one of the benefits paid by the Social Security Board.

He explained that a computer programme had to be developed and tested to ensure correctness in processing the claims, and more persons have been added to the processing team to process more claims.