AG says there is a culture of dishonesty and culture of people looking at one issue in isolation after a man requests if a death allowance can be allocated for funerals

Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says when rolling out government initiatives, they have to assess how will people steal from the system as there is a culture of dishonesty and culture of people looking at one issue in isolation after a man from Ba requested the Minister if a death allowance can be allocated in the mini budget as many poor families are finding it difficult to have funerals for their loved ones.

The man made the request in the budget consultation at Tavarau Primary School as he says some families desperately need this assistance to conduct the funeral ceremonies.

While responding to the man, Sayed-Khaiyum says he understands the request however they have more pressing matters to address. He also gave an example where people were beating the system to get the $1,000 new born baby allowance.

Another Ba man raised the issue about most of them not receiving the second payment of the $360 unemployment assistance.

Sayed-Khaiyum says people should not wait for that payment.

The man had also raised the issue on how assessments are made on people eligible to get social welfare pension as he says the assessors come in and say you have a big house, TV and car.

Sayed-Khaiyum says they are cleaning up the data as some families were picking up payments but the people are dead while some people have become wealthier.