Madam Speaker, I rise today to inform this Honourable House of the BVI Social Security Board’s Penalty and Surcharge Amnesty Programme.

Over time, a number of employers, self-employed persons, and voluntary contributors have accumulated outstanding contribution balances, together with associated surcharges and penalties. This has created challenges not only for account compliance, but also for workers whose timely access to benefits and healthcare services may be affected.

In recognition of this challenge, the Board has introduced the Penalty and Surcharge Amnesty Programme as part of its broader strategy to strengthen compliance, support the sustainability of the Territory’s social protection system, and help ensure that workers and their dependents retain access to the benefits and healthcare services to which they are entitled.

Madam Speaker, the Amnesty Programme came into effect on 1st July, 2026 and will conclude on 31st December, 2026.  The programme is open to business owners, employers, self-employed persons, and voluntary contributors who have outstanding contribution balances with the Social Security Board or the National Health Insurance system.  Through this programme, eligible persons are being given a limited-time opportunity to regularise their accounts. Upon successful application, one hundred percent of accrued surcharges and penalties may be waived. Applicants may settle the outstanding principal balance in full or, where approved, enter into a structured payment arrangement.

Madam Speaker, payment plans under the programme require a minimum deposit of twenty percent of the amount owed.  Where an applicant owes both Social Security and NHI contributions, a minimum deposit of ten percent of each outstanding balance is required. The maximum allowable term for a payment arrangement under the programme is five years. It is important to note that persons who participate in the programme must continue to pay their regular ongoing contributions, in addition to any payment plan instalments toward the outstanding balance.  This is essential to ensuring that accounts remain current and that workers’ access to benefits and healthcare services is protected.  Applicants are advised to contact the Board’s Collections Department and submit a completed application, together with the required supporting documents.

Madam Speaker, this programme is intended to improve overall compliance, strengthen the long-term sustainability of the Social Security and NHI systems, and promote fairness for compliant employers, employees, and the wider community by addressing historic arrears.

Following the close of the programme on 31st December, 2026, penalty relief under this initiative will no longer be available.  Defaulters who do not participate, or who fail to meet the conditions of an approved arrangement, will be subject to full statutory enforcement measures. Stricter compliance and enforcement action will take effect from January 2027.

Madam Speaker, the Penalty and Surcharge Amnesty Programme represents a significant, time-limited opportunity for employers, self-employed persons, and voluntary contributors to regularise their accounts, reduce their accumulated debt, and support the continued protection of workers and their families.

I therefore encourage all eligible persons to make use of this opportunity before the programme ends on 31st December, 2026.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.