The National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) wishes to reassure its employees and public officers working within NALIS that you do not face the threat of losing your jobs as purported in an article published in the Trinidad Guardian of November 15, 2006.

The facts are:

• On November 14, 2006 the government tabled a Bill seeking to amend the NALIS Act. The amendment seeks to have the time frame for opting extended to June 30, 2007 in an effort to regularize staffing at NALIS and to provide all with the same opportunities.
• When the NALIS Act was assented to on September 18,1998, persons under the Carnegie Free and Public Libraries Acts, including librarians, library assistants, clerical and other staff were automatically transferred to NALIS. Permanent Public Officers were given up to six months thereafter to exercise an option to transfer or second into NALIS or remain in the public service. At the end of the six-month period many persons had not exercised an option.

The NALIS Act provides for the following:

• When persons transfer, their pensions and superannuation benefits are preserved and shall continue to be calculated and to accrue under the Pensions Extension Act.
• Persons not wishing to transfer or second shall remain in the public service in an office at remuneration commensurate with that of the office held immediately prior to the commencement of the NALIS Act.
• Where no office is available in the public service, persons shall become eligible for terms provided for in Section 15: 4 of the Pensions Act.
• Any pension or other benefits of employment that may have accrued to that person shall continue to be calculated and to accrue under the Pensions Extension Act.

Once the Amendment to the Act is passed in Parliament and assented to by the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the amendment will become law. Staff will be advised and forms will become available for persons to exercise an option. Staff will be informed of further developments