Amid confusion over the rollout of Barbados’ new paternity leave policy, Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS) Kim Tudor has sought to set the record straight, confirming that the benefit is active and eligible fathers can apply.
Her clarification came after reports of NISSS staff telling applicants that the promised benefit had not yet taken effect—despite a government-announced start date of June 1.
“The NISSS is accepting application forms from eligible employed and self-employed fathers whose children were born on or after this date,” Tudor told Barbados TODAY.
The statutory paternity leave policy, first announced during the March 2025 Budget, forms part of a broader package of reforms aimed at modernising family support in Barbados, including extended maternity leave and a universal child grant for primary caregivers.
A first-time father, who requested anonymity, said he was granted three weeks’ paternity leave by his private sector employer following the birth of his son in late June. But with no payments received midway through his leave, he contacted NISSS and was initially told the system was not yet processing claims.
“I called and they told me that the paternity leave has not started, and I was a bit confused at exactly what they were telling me,” he told Barbados TODAY. “So I went to them and I spoke to someone in customer service, and they told me, yes, that the paternity leave was put out to the public, but it has not started as yet.”
The young father, who had followed the policy closely since January, said the HR department at his company had earlier confirmed the policy was active and advised him to submit his paperwork once his child was born.
“I reached out to HR and I told her I didn’t see any payment come through as yet, and I was wondering what the procedure would be,” he explained. “She told me that I would have to call the NIS and confirm with them when I would be benefiting from the paternity leave.”
With no clear answers, he made the difficult decision to cut his leave short.
“I actually requested to go back to work early because I was supposed to have three weeks home, but I went back to work on my second week out,” he said. “Because after hearing that NIS obviously wouldn’t give me anything, and then my workplace telling me that they don’t know what is gonna happen or they are unsure of the situation, I just decided, well, the best thing to do is just to go back to work so that I can at least get some funds.”
The father, whose partner is unemployed, said the ordeal has strained their finances.
“It definitely has affected me a lot, because I was obviously looking forward to the compensation over the time that I was spending at home, to deal with my son and myself and other bills and such,” he said. “It has set me back quite a while.”
When contacted, Tudor confirmed that the paternity benefit officially took effect on June 1. The paternity benefit is payable for three weeks and must be claimed within six months of the child’s birth.
Responding directly to the father’s case, Tudor said: “The young man is not out of time. He has six months, so he can still make a claim. We will still make the payment.”
Fathers are encouraged to collect and complete the application form at the NISSS office, located at the Frank Walcott Building, Culloden Road, St Michael. Required documents include:
• A copy of the Certificate of Confinement, or a certified copy of the Birth Certificate showing the father’s name
• Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• NIS number and Barbados Identification Card
Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn confirmed to Barbados TODAY that Cabinet had approved the paternity leave policy and its accompanying reforms, including extended maternity leave and a new child grant.
“What is being drafted are the regulations which are currently with the Chief Parliamentary Counsel,” he said.
Straughn added that the Ministry of Labour, led by Minister Colin Jordan, is overseeing the process and liaising with the NIS on implementation.
The post NISSS says paternity benefit is in effect appeared first on Barbados Today.