THE Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development is aware of the concerns regarding the National Employment Bureau (NEB) being headquartered in Warrens and is exploring the possibility of moving it to a more central location.
So says Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo. However, addressing those attending an event yesterday morning to introduce stake-holders to the Barbados Employment and Career Counselling Service (BECCS), which will soon replace the NEB, she explained that moving that public sector entity is not a simple task.
Minister Byer-Suckoo made the point as she explained that the NEB moved from the Old NIS Building on Fairchild Street to Warrens after the building became unsuitable, and since then there have been complaints from unemployed persons about the location, because the trip to Warrens can put a strain on their limited financial resources. She said while the Ministry appreciates and understands their concerns, the solution is not to place one officer in Culloden Road at the National Insurance Office to stamp a person’s form so that they can continue to receive unemployment benefits as has been suggested by some.
“The stamping of the form is a legal stipulation which certifies that the unemployed person came to the NEB to look for work, that they were counselled and shown available listings or that they looked into training; this is the proper process. One officer at a desk in a corner on Culloden Road cannot do this,” the Labour Minister maintained.
To that end, she said the unit, or a part of the unit would have to be relocated, but her office is yet to find a suitable and affordable option to do so.
“But we continue to search because we do understand the valid concerns that the unemployed persons have expressed,” she assured those gathered. (JRT)