Social Security Celebrates 20th Anniversary & Hosts Caricom Directors Meeting
It was an idea that was very unpopular back in 1977 when it was mooted by late Chief Minister the Honourable H. Lavity Stoutt. He was concerned about the lack of protection for workers. But it wasn't until July 1978 that the Legislative Council approved a motion calling for the introduction of a comprehensive Social Security Scheme. Three months later, Joshua Smith, now deceased, was named as the first Director. The Social Security Ordinance was successfully piloted through the Legislature in September 1979 and the office was officially opened in July 1980 as several regulations were being passed.
Today, the Social Security Scheme is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a series of activities, which began with an opening ceremony last Sunday June 25th at the Central Administration Complex gardens and will end next Tuesday June 18th with a health fair and open house at the office on Tortola. An anniversary awards dinner was held last Monday, where ten employees - Eileen Smith, Antoinette Skelton, Glance Richardson, Roy Barry, Linda Scatliffe, Alwon Smith, Shirleen Stoutt, Joseph Williams, Glenda Fahie-Smith and Sayretta Pickering - were honoured for serving between 11 and 20 years at the Social Security Scheme. Other activities included the CARICOM Heads of Social Security Meeting June 26th and 27th (this was the second such meeting to be held here and delegates discussed topics such as Social Security Reform, SS Research, the CARICOM Agreement etc.) and a pensioner's luncheon at the East End/Long Look Community Centre on June 28th. Coming up will be a health fair and banquet on Jost Van Dyke July 5th and on Virgin Gorda July 8th and a luncheon on Anegada July 16th. Financial Secretary Allen Wheatley, who is also Deputy Director of the Social Security Board, chaired the opening ceremony. He noted that the concept of Social Security was laudable, recognizing that prior to the introduction of the scheme, government had a system called Systems Grants. He said this took up a large portion of the budget, but through Social Security, this was reduced and a more equitable way was found whereby persons were able to benefit in times of needs. SSB Chairman Mr. Roosevelt Smith welcomed the regional delegates to the BVI and said he was particularly proud of the service delivered by the Social Security Scheme.
"Through the Director Mrs. Antoinette Skelton, we can say that we have an organization in the British Virgin Islands that we are very proud of and the Board Members are very strong. The Chief Minister does not tell us what to do. Even if he tries, we won't listen. He knows that." In his remarks, Chief Minister Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal acknowledged the service of the first and longest serving (11 years) Chairman of the Board Mr. Noel Barton, who he said ensured that the Social Security Scheme was put on a very good footing. "The institution of Social Security is such an important one that I see no difficulty...in celebrating Social Security month each year," said Hon. O'Neal, adding, "for it indeed has transformed the expectations of our people." He said one couldn't forget just a few years ago when our people laboured tirelessly without any pension or benefits whatsoever.
The BVI Leader recalled that at the time when the law was passed, there were only seven Legislators. Three have passed on, three have retired and he remains the only one serving. He noted that since the introduction of the scheme, there are several benefits to be received. He said those charged with the responsibility of collecting the contributions should not flinch from their responsibilities and those who are charged with making sure the funds are invested to obtain their optimum returns, should do so with tenacity." He also announced that a circular will soon be sent out to all Ministries and Heads of Departments insisting that every time a petty contract is issued, the Director of Social Security must be officially informed on who the contractor is and about the particular job. Meantime, the Minister of Finance said he gets very disturbed when he examines the arrears list and discovers that so many persons will not remit their contributions. "This is, to say the least, disgusting and the last time I met with Board members, I told them in no uncertain terms that that long list must be reduced and that the section of the Scheme responsible for the collections must be strengthened." He said the Social Security Board cannot rest on its laurels, but must pay attention to areas where the red flags are starting to go up. He also discounted criticisms of the Board, stating his full confidence in the Board and noting that an actuarial study is done every three years to ensure accountability of the people's money.
"I happen to be the first Minister for Social Security in the territory and my position has always been not to interfere and even now as Minister of Finance, if the government is borrowing any funds from Social Security, the same procedure as we have for borrowing from other financial institutions, is meticulously followed and we hope that this will continue," said Chief Minister O'Neal. Mr. Holston Gift, Programme Director at the CARICOM Secretariat, Mr. Octavio Jiminez, Coordinator of the Secretariat at the Inter-American Conference of Social Security and Dr. Frank Alleyne, Technical Advisor, International Social Security Association brought anniversary greetings. Mr. Gift said the CARICOM Secretariat felt that the occasion is well justified in light of the achievements of the BVI Social Security Board and the stalwart contribution it has made to Social Security in the region. "We must bear in mind that these organizations have faced tremendous challenges over the years and that they started out with a great deal of unpopularity...but over the years, they have faced the challenges, they have dealt with the issues and they have contributed, in no small way, to improving the quality of life of the workers, as well as the dependants of those workers." Mr. Gift further stated that the meeting of regional Directors would help to enable them to enhance their capacity to deliver better service. Mr. Jiminez presented a commemorative plaque to the BVISSB. Dr. Alleyne said ISSA values highly the contributions of Director Antoinette Skelton of the BVISSB to the bureau. "In a forthright manner, Antoinette is an able advocate for small schemes within the ISSA."
Mrs. Skelton, in her response, recalled that some persons believed that Social Security would never work, but history has proven them wrong. "As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, it is with a sense of much pride that I stand here and without fear of contradiction boast of the greatest successful institution in the British Virgin Islands." She said since the inception of the Scheme, the Board has accumulated over $130M in assets, made loans to government of $25M for housing, roads and electricity and made donations in excess of $400,000 for health, education and social needs. The Board has also paid over $20M to over 30,000 persons in benefits. Presently, there are 412 persons receiving age pensions, 63 receiving invalidity and 128 receiving survivor's pension monthly. "We realize we have a serious responsibility to safeguard the people's money and to ensure that benefits can be paid in the future," the Director concluded.