ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Thousands of people who rely on the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) to supply needed drugs will, from the beginning of June, have a more difficult time accessing their medicines.

The country’s trade co-ordinator, Dr Clarence Henry, said blocking tactics have led to the withdrawal of a firm charged with constructing an EC $2 million ferry terminal.

Minister with responsibility for the Port Trevor Walker says government can not continue to inject half a million dollars into the financially troubled entity to cover wages and salaries.

Government is making moves to address its indebtedness, dating back 36 years, to the Social Security Scheme.

Thousands of self-employed workers now have to pay 5 per cent of their income to the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) as part of sweeping changes that go into effect at the statutory body almost immediately.

The implications of the two-year jail term imposed on the former accountant of Medical Benefits Scheme would not have been lost on the thousands of public servants employed by government in this country.

Members of the public who use the facilities at the West Bus Station are being encouraged to take ownership of the restrooms in order to keep them in good working condition.

An opposition parliamentarian has proposed the government offer the 49 per cent stake in State Insurance that it intends to sell to Social Security to settle its multi-million dollar debt with the statutory body.

An uneasy armistice should be underway from today at the Free Trade and Processing Zone, where workers have been resisting plans to reduce their hours and by extension their pay throughout 2011.