Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says Phase 4 of the FNPF Withdrawal Scheme has got nothing to do with people who have become unemployed because of COVID-19.
He says people who will qualify for Phase 4 were already unemployed two years ago.
Sayed-Khaiyum says unemployment benefits for COVID-19 is for those people who have become unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He clarified this after NFP parliamentarian, Lenora Qereqeretabua had asked why government will not top up for Phase 4 of the COVID-19 Withdrawal Scheme.
The Minister for Economy adds that Phase 2 and 3 COVID-19 withdrawal schemes will continue for as long as they need to continue these schemes and funding will be provided for this.
According to FNPF, phase 4 targets members who have been unemployed for more than six months, from October 2017 to September 2019.
32,000 members will qualify for phase four which means these members have equal to or more than $135 in their general accounts. These members can apply for between $100 to $1,100, depending on their general account balance.
Meanwhile, Sayed-Khaiyum says they are going ahead with several projects like the Prime Minister’s Office and police stations which will create employment.
He says by having these projects, there will be employment for about 1,600 people and these jobs currently do not exist.
Sayed-Khaiyum says they will not be only providing these people with employment but will also have the infrastructure.
