SSNIT to give employees direct assess to their accounts

Tema, Aug. 19, GNA - The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), is to introduce a new system that will give employees direct assess to their Statements of Account, instead of passing it through their employers.

The system is aimed at building the confidence of employees to express their views about their contributions, Mr Jonathan Ashitey, Deputy Operations Coordinator of SSNIT, disclosed on Wednesday in Tema at a day's seminar for employers.

He spoke on the topic: "Problems with Enforcement", and on the theme: "SSNIT Pension Administration: The Way Forward". Mr Ashittey said the SSNIT was considering the use of number identification cards, to settle the problems that arose when contributors bore similar names.

He urged employers to update the records of workers and state their correct salaries.

Mr Ashittey warned that it was an offence to under declare the salary of workers.

Ms Eva Amegashie, Deputy Head of Public Affairs of SSNIT, called on the public to exercise circumspection when endorsing student loans, since they would be held liable when applicants fail to pay back. She warned that, very soon, names of defaulters of SSNIT contributions and student loans would be published and prosecuted. Ms Amagashie said the PNDC law 276, which set up the student loans scheme, allowed a 10 years grace period.