The new management structure which involves the creation of 6 major sectors and 21 centralized managements, which are due to be approved this month, he said.

The new structure aims at more public satisfaction with the services provided by insurance officers, by directly linking the latter's promotions and remunerations with that level of satisfaction. Thus, all workers will be keen to perform better and faster to solve any problems facing social insurance customers, the minister added.

This comes as part of the development, modernization and reform of the social insurance sector, which has already witnessed a quantum leap with the release of the new Pensions and Insurance Law which provides a wider insurance coverage for many segments of society, he noted.

Within the framework of updating the system, 100 local offices of the Social Insurance Fund in both public and private sectors have been selected to be developed into model offices – all having a standard architectural design in cooperation with an engineering design consultant, the minister pointed out.

The development of these offices marks the beginning of implementing a detailed plan for the development of all social insurance offices all over the country. At least half the total number of offices will be developed by the next year, Dr. Ghali added.

On the other hand, the National Organization for Social Insurance (NOSI) has prepared a plan to collect overdue insurance premiums from companies and public and private institutions, said Dr. Mohamed Moiet, the Deputy Minister for Social Insurance and Pensions.

The plan involves a 10% increase in outstanding arrears collected by insurance offices in different areas all over the country, compared to previous years. In addition, the value of these arrears will be re-valued and the continuity of the relevant activities will be verified.

Similarly, as a part of the wider facilities provided to the business community, the Ministry is considering the possibility of writing off outstanding debts on institutions, companies, individuals, and those who are unable to repay, Dr. Moiet indicated.

Furthermore, institutions that own vehicles for official use have been instructed to renew their driver and car insurance at public insurance offices, said Mrs. Thorayya Fatouh Shalaby, the head of the Social Security Fund for public and private sector employees. This step aims at easing the burdens on car Insurance offices, which will be limited to the service of private cars owners and drivers from now on, she added.

(Source : Ministry of Finance)