Saint Lucians continue to benefit from the Economic Relief Programme administered by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC). The programme provides financial support to the thousands of NIC contributors who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the NIC has paid out $36.2 million to 15,805 contributors.

The Economic Relief Programme provides payment of a monthly sum equivalent to 50 percent of the insurable earnings of an affected insured person subject to a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $1,500. To date the average monthly payout is $908.

Initially making payouts for April, May and June 2020, the NIC extended the Economic Relief Program for three more months considering the ongoing adverse impact of COVID-19 on the business sector, including the hotel sector which employs a significant number of its contributors.

The National Insurance Corporation has issued a call to employers to update their portal information as hundreds of Saint Lucians are now returning to work following the reopening of economic activity.

Meanwhile, NIC Communications Manager, MacNaughton McLean, said the Corporation remains committed to see the Economic Relief Programme through to its scheduled end on Sep. 30. The Economic Relief Programme forms part of the Government of Saint Lucia’s Social Stabilization Plan in response to the COVID-19-induced economic crisis.