Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles, makes his contribution to the 2008-2009 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

INSURANCE BENEFITS for industrial security guards are to be increased effective January 1, 2009.

Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles announced, during his contribution to the 2008-2009 Sectoral Debate yesterday, that the rates would be increased in line with the amounts now obtained by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and their dependents.

Injury

Security guards who are injured on the job are to receive $2 million, up from $1.5 million.

For accidental death, the amount will move from $3 million to $4 million.

There are some 15,000 persons working as security guards in Jamaica.

On another matter, Charles said the Government would revisit the discussion on flexible working arrangements.

He said a joint select committee of Parliament, which was set up to review recommendations from stakeholders, would be reconstituted to complete its deliberations.

Call for universal coverage

Meanwhile, Charles is proposing a modern national social security system with universal coverage.

He said the objective would be to expand the social security net to include persons below the poverty line, minimum wage earners, part-time workers and workers who have lost their jobs due to redundancies.

However, he did not provide details about how this would be implemented, and when.