KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition is calling on the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to clarify reports that benefits under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) have been cut.

“It has been brought to my attention, via the mainstream and social media and by hundreds of beneficiaries on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education, (PATH), that they have experienced a substantial reduction in the payment they receive from this vital social assistance programme,” Opposition spokesman on labour and social security Fenton Ferguson said in a release today.

However, President of the Press Association of Jamaica, Dionne Jackson Miller yesterday tweeted: “trying to find out why complaints abt PATH benefits being cut – Social Security Ministry says benefits NOT cut – so…???#RJRBTH”.

Ferguson nonetheless contends that the nature of the complaints are serious, as beneficiaries on PATH are the poorest in the society and are therefore heavily dependent on the stipend that they receive from the Government.

Any reduction of funds to these individuals, be it large or small, is likely to have profound effects on these poor and needy beneficiaries, he said.

He added: “As Spokesman for the Opposition on labour and social security, I am calling on the Minister of Labour and Social Security, The Honourable Shahine Robinson to investigate the concerns raised and to publish her findings in the Media as the urgency of the matter cannot await the uncertainties relating to the frequency of the meetings of the Parliament. This matter must be treated with alacrity, as it impacts the poorest of our Jamaican brothers and sisters.”