A group of social, political and trade union activists is calling for a national sick out on Wednesday to protest government’s proposed changes to the national insurance scheme.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Colin Jordan, announced in the House of Assembly on Friday that overtime the pension age is to be pushed back by a year and the number of contributions required before a person qualifies is to be increased, among other changes to the National Insurance Scheme.

General Secretary of Unity Workers Union, Caswell Franklyn, tells Starcom Network News that last night more than five hundred people took part in an online meeting and felt so strongly opposed to the proposed changes that they decided action is required.

Mr. Franklyn says the proposed sick-out is timed for Wednesday which is the day the draft legislation is scheduled to be placed before the Senate for final approval.

General Secretary of Unity Workers Union, Caswell Franklyn, tells Starcom Network News.

Meantime, in relation to the proposed sick-out Minister of Labour and Social Security, Colin Jordan, tells Starcom Network News, he expects the good sense of Barbadians will win out.

He reiterated that government feels it has no choice to but act to preserve the National Insurance Scheme based on what the numbers have been showing.

Mr. Jordan announced plans to roll out a major public education campaign about the NIS changes. He says this is necessary to help people understand that for instance some changes are as far as eleven years away.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Colin Jordan.