Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, Mrs. Jacinta Bailey Sobers welcomed employees of the National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT) to an information session on the Ministry’s grant and services, which was hosted by the Social Welfare Division at the NIBTT’s, Corporate Headquarters, Port of Spain.
The session is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to increase collaboration with NIBTT given the similarity of the clientele of both organisations and the Ministry. Sensitization activities were identified and agreed on by both parties. The NIBTT successfully executed three (3) NIS sensitisation sessions on its benefits with 145 staff members of the Ministry in November, 2017. This was all in an effort to enhance the understanding and operating efficiencies between both entities. The Ministry reciprocated by sensitising sixty (60) of NIBTT managers and supervisors on 20 April 2018 on its existing grants and services.
‘I must admit how timely and relevant this particular session is as the Ministry embarks on the implementation of the National Social Mitigation Plan which was developed to cushion the impact of the economic downturn on our vulnerable populations in Trinidad and Tobago,’ Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Jacinta Bailey-Sobers said in her welcome remarks. She also spoke of a request to NIBTT to look at unemployment insurance for persons who would have lost their jobs. Mrs. Bailey Sobers emphasized that the partnership between the Ministry and NIBTT was greatly welcomed at a time when resources were limited and demands were greater for these services. She ended ‘Like our Social Welfare officers, we too hope to enlighten and educate your staff towards excellence in service, towards our most vulnerable citizens.’
The workshop provided comprehensive information on all of the Ministry’s grants and services. The NIBTT officers were very interactive during the workshop and were able to get clarification on many issues. NIBTT’s Executive Manager, Greta Stephen-Henry, stated that this sensitisation exercise was just the start of a continuous relationship between the Ministry and NIBTT. She also stated that a joint brochure containing the benefits and grants of both entities is being planned to further enhance the knowledge of both parties, so as to better advise and improve the services to the clients.