Teachers fight for $33.1m outstanding medical claims

TEACHERS are fighting back against the protracted delay in having an outstanding sum of $33.1 million in medical claims assessed and paid to them through the Unimed Group Health plan. This plan was established by Government as part of the terms and conditions of employment for teachers and public officers.

Members of the TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) held a candlelight vigil outside the office of the Ministry of Finance at the Twin Towers, Port of Spain, on August 12 as the start of a series of public action to highlight their plight.

TTUTA president Martin Lum Kin said the action will continue with the delivery of a letter to the Chief Personnel Office (CPO) and a picket on August 15, from 10 am.

On August 27, teachers will visit the Ministry of Education to highlight the Unimed debacle that now confronts them.

The teachers union say it understands that an ongoing cash flow deficit is responsible for the delay. As of January 2024, the outstanding figure stood at $33.1 million.

Government – the employer – contributes 60 per cent to the plan, while 40 per cent is deducted from workers’ salaries. It is managed by a committee, consisting of a chairman, representatives from the office of the CPO, Ministry of Finance, TTUTA as well as the Public Services Association (PSA).

There are over 30,000 members.

TTUTA said in the past the plan worked well, with reimbursements being processed and paid within six weeks after submission.

Over the last seven years, however, the efficiency of claims for medical services has deteriorated to the point where it now takes over one year to receive reimbursements.

Lum Kin explained that the situation is frustrating public servants and teachers since it's been years since they have been able to receive timely reimbursements.

He said robust representations have been made by TTUTA and PSA to the CPO, to no avail.

The teachers union wants to know the findings of an audit on the fund conducted about one year ago.

Newsday's calls and WhatsApp message to Minister in the Ministry of Finance Brian Manning went unanswered on August 14.

TTUTA’s general council is expected to meet soon to address this issue and decide a course of further action on behalf of its members.

Lum Kin said the public action would also draw attention to a double-whammy retired teachers and those soon to retire are facing in terms of their superannuation benefits. He said their national insurance (NIS) benefits did not reflect the accurate contributions to the National Insurance Board (NIB).

He said members have been waiting for almost a year to receive a statement from the Ministry of Education, NIB section on the accurate number of weekly contributions.

Lum Kin pointed out that retirees depend on their NIS to live until they receive their gratuity and pension at age 65.

“This is no way to treat people who have dedicated their lives to the service of this country,” Lum Kin said.