The Director of the Dominica Social Security (DSS), Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas, has issued a compelling appeal to the nation’s self-employed workforce, urging immediate registration with the national social security system to secure future welfare benefits. Emphasizing the critical need for personal financial planning, Thomas highlighted a concerning trend where individuals neglect to make provisions for their later years yet expect support upon reaching retirement age or becoming unable to work.
Thomas articulated the core principle of the social security system as a mechanism for ensuring personal independence through compulsory savings. “By making the modest sacrifice of regular contributions during your productive years, you guarantee financial compensation from DSS when your earning capacity diminishes,” she stated, framing the system as a foundational pillar for retirement security rather than an optional expense.
In parallel, the DSS Director issued a crucial advisory to all salaried employees, encouraging them to proactively verify their contribution status. Thomas clarified that observing a social security deduction on one’s payslip does not automatically confirm the remittance of those funds to the DSS. She strongly recommended that employees periodically visit DSS offices to conduct official checks, ensuring their employers are fully compliant with contribution payments on their behalf.
This dual-focus outreach underscores a broader governmental effort to strengthen the social safety net by expanding coverage and enforcing compliance, thereby safeguarding citizens against financial insecurity in old age or incapacity.