The Surinamese government has brought in the Dutch consultancy
bureau KPMG to develop a Surinamese social security system. Vice President
Robert Ameerali has again promised in the National Assembly that he country will
have a new social security system no later than 1 January 2014. Suriname
Politics & Security has previously reported on the plans to set up a social
security system.
Addressing parliament, Ameerali looked more deeply into the
parameters of the system. New retirement provisions will be introduced (many
pensions have not yet been adjusted to the price increases for decades); general
health insurance; a minimum wage and labour legislation will also be
incorporated into the new system.
The vice president says that the government and KPMG are
already working on a draft of the system.
By mid-2013, the government wants to
start introducing some elements of the system.
The opposition has tried to insinuate that the contract with
KPMG for setting up the social security system was arranged by a so-called
'underhand agreement'. But Ameerali defended the granting of the contract to the
Dutch firm by explaining that only two companies registered to participate in
the public bidding. The government chose KPMG on quality terms.
For more news and expert analysis about Suriname, please see Suriname Politics & Security.
© 2013 Menas Associates
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