No institution worth its salt would relish such relentless castigation

Dec 21, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
The constant criticisms and reprimands for sloppy, tardy and inefficient work/service against the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), instead of being a whip to buck them up in delivering better services have only served, it seems, to toughen their hide, making them more immune to the regular bashing.
The NIS from all appearances with truck loads of complains piling up against it is not the least perturbed and has resigned itself to remain functioning just the way it is – no sweat.
One has got to be stripped of one’s senses not to be overwhelmed by the constant public wailing and charges to the point of becoming weary with trite and hollow excuses/explanations repeatedly offered. In which case one is left to conclude that the N1S cannot do any better; for no institution worth its salt would relish such relentless castigation, and I doubt if there is any respectable institution that would be so brazen to be in contempt of the very people whose monies are responsible for its existence and well paid staff – I perish such thought.
Mr. Editor, things fall apart, not functioning well tend to make us look back at time when they were in top shape.
The present unsatisfactory service being experienced by contributors of NIS made me reflect on the superb, almost impeccable record keeping system that was a hallmark of the once mighty Bauxite Industry-Demba-Guymine.
But that has been a long time gone, touch button technology and the computer era have allowed us much advancement as enormous time saving, no more do we have to be tediously sifting through endless stacks of papers.
The record keeping in the Bauxite Industry was pure class, as was expected errors were made, but very rarely and often time negligible.
But looking back now the people who took charge of that department were exemplary professional workers – a cut above. From the moment you got employed until your departure, all, spare none of what came within your line of duty were recorded.
When your three months’ probation was up you were summoned forthwith on the very date to be appraised; when you were due for an increase in wage/salary it was made on the exact time and reflected on your pay statement; if you purchase an item from the store partly deductions were made after x amount of time or according to how you requested payments be made; when your vacation was due you were informed and your pay package was made up as per agreement on time – hardly any running around to querry/correct mistakes.
Whether it was a loan being paid for housing, a contribution pledged to be deducted etc., they were all done promptly with precision; if you were selected for an award by virtue of years worked or merit you were formally informed.
And when finally your time was up – be it retrenchment, retirement, resignation, accident, death etc.; rest assured that all which is due; every article of entitlement, every single benefit will be meticulously compiled from records stored to accurately reflect your period spent and actions within the Industry; all documents well sealed and sent to your official address.
No running around, no back and forth; no frustration and stress with banks refusing to endorse your documents and endless hours sitting/standing, waiting in futility at various offices. Talk about system!
That was system; records keeping at its very best, and which we all took for granted and never quite recognised the people who made it possible.
Frank Fyffe

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No institution worth its salt would relish such relentless castigation

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