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this scheme is likewise at present administered. It should ultimately be integrated.
(d)
Maternity benefit
(e)
Sickness benefit
(f)
the
separately
present amount of benefit satisfies the minimum standard set by the 1952 Geneva Convention. However, the mechanics of implementation should be improved to ensure expeditious payment of the claims.
Medical care benefit · in most cases the amount of benefit is still less than actual medical expenses incurred by the person protected. Abuses, while not rampant at this time, require special attention. The Social Security System should start setting up medical facilities of its own and employ salaried
staff.
care.
-
This may yet prove to be the most economical way of providing medical In any case, this would provide a way of controlling increasing hospitalisation and medical costs by furnishing bench-work figures against which the costs of privately run facilities can be measured.
Financing
Social security should be viewed as co-equal in importance with other governmental functions and, as such, should normally be financed from general taxation. This would not only simplify collection but also avoid the complications of recording contributions.
Under this system of financing, the low-income group would be taxed relatively less, if progressive taxation is adopted by the Government. As it is, payment of contributions based on a fixed percentage of the income is regressive in character.
Even then, this system of financing social security through progressive taxation must have to wait until we have attained universal social security coverage.
Administration
if
Social security can only have full meaning to those whom it seeks to protect benefits are paid promptly (when they are most needed) and if services and assistance are brought to them wherever there may be.
Thus, there is a continuing need for the social security system to maintain an adequate number of trained and competent personnel to serve the members.
To the extent that it will serve to expedite information retrieval facilitate claims processing, the social security system should computerise..
and
Finally, no social security programme may be said to be truly responsive to the needs of the people unless its operations are decentralised to the fullest extent possible.
It is in these areas that continuing studies should be made if we ensure the successful administration of the social security programme.
are to
APPENDIX
Summary of the benefit scheme -1974
1.
old age, invalidity, death
Coverage
1.1
Wage and salary workers in private employment.
Exclusions: agricultural workers working less than 6 months a year, domestic servants, casual employees, unpaid family workers, self-employed workers and student nurses.
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