Published 20 May 2023
MISSA bids farewell to Adrian
“Intelligent, funny and aggressive” are the adjectives used by Acting MISSA Administrator & Task Force Chairman Bryan Edejer as he described Adrian Nippress in a touching speech that he delivered on the eve of Adrian’s flight back to Australia.
It was a night full of heartwarming tribute, gift giving and karaoke singing for the man behind the exemplary accomplishments of the Workers’ Compensation Task Force and MISSA. The event was also attended by several Task Force members. Ms. Katrina Murray, acting Australian Ambassador to RMI and outgoing Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy on Majuro, together with her incoming successor, Ms. Caroline Ried, also graced the occasion.
Adrian is the Workers’ Compensation (WC) Advisor that was engaged by the Australian Government to assist the WC Task Force and MISSA in reviewing the RMI Workers’ Compensation Program, identify the amendments needed to ensure that the program will address all the needs of both workers and employers, and develop its structure, system and procedures prior to its targeted implementation date of October 1, 2023. (Read article “RMI Workers’ Compensation Program gets technical support from Australia” here.) The WC program’s implementation was postponed several times since 2016 when it was introduced to the Nitijela by then Minister John Silk.
When the WC Task Force and MISSA started reviewing the WC Law and developing the program’s structure in early 2022, and prior to Adrian’s arrival in August 2022, its members were faced with a great deal of challenges and uncertainties as to what lies ahead. All of them have no experience about workers’ compensation. It was like being taken aboard a ship that is drifting on rough seas while the captain is uncertain which direction to take. Fortunately, Adrian “came to the rescue”. With Adrian’s immense experience, guidance and perseverance, the WC Task Force and MISSA, comprising the team of dedicated individuals representing all sectors of the community, and together with Legal Counsel Divine Waiti, are able to sail to the right direction and are now just “a few miles a way to its intended destination”. To-date, the team has accomplished the following daunting tasks:
- 13 consultative meetings were held with various stakeholders (PSC/PSS, Majuro Chamber of Commerce, major businesses, workers and the general public) on Majuro and Ebeye/Kwajalein to hear their concerns, suggestions and questions about the WC program.
- The Task Force examined its ability to “determine the affordability and probability of compliance to the financial provisions of the [Worker’s Compensation] law” and decided that an independent actuary would be required. MISSA sought financial resources via a Cabinet submission to engage an actuary, outside of the RMI. The successful candidate, Deloitte Australia has now completed the actuarial study. One of the actuary’s recommendations, as stated in their Executive Summary, is to have the current premium reduced due to the fact that, unlike in the CNMI, the health care in the Marshall Islands is being provided free of charge or for some, at very nominal cost. As the recommended reduction is significant (in %), the two main insurance carriers were given the opportunity to comment on the contents of the report. A more detailed new tariff summary is expected to be finalized soon.
- Advisor Nippress and Ave Gimao Jr. of MISSA were able to negotiate a significant reduction in the minimum premium for small businesses with less than 4 workers. From $300, the two main insurance carriers agreed to lower the minimum amount to $200 and $150.
- On January 18, 2023, the Task Force submitted a 125-page report to the Cabinet. The report summarized what the Task Force has accomplished, the extent and results of the consultative meetings with all the stakeholders, proposed amendments to the WC Law, draft regulations and future role of the Task Force.
- Under the guidance of Advisor Nippress and LC Waiti, the WC Task Force identified numerous issues and provisions of the RMI Workers’ Compensation Act which while established in the CNMI Worker’s Compensation Law, were not applicable, practicable or relevant to the context of the Marshall Islands. Most such areas examined were the subject of formal recommendations to draft amendments to the RMI Workers’ Compensation Act. The draft amendments were submitted to the Cabinet in January 2023 and subsequently, on March 27, 2023, the proposed amendments to the WC Law, under NB (Nitijela Bill) 95 were passed by the Nitijela.
- A team comprised of Advisor Nippress and MISSA Deputy Administrators Bill Joseph and Ave Gimao Jr. has consulted in person with senior managers of Moylan’s/FirstNet/DB Insurance and Century Insurance in Guam and CNMI, the main insurance carriers of the two local insurance agencies on Majuro (Moylan’s and Marshalls Insurance Agency). It also gave the team the opportunity to meet with the Workers’ Compensation and Insurance Commissioners of Guam and CNMI. (Read the article “RMI Workers Compensation Program to Finally Kick Off on October” here.)
- 30 forms have been designed and completed that will be used by workers, employers, MISSA, insurance carriers and attending physicians the program starts on October 1, 2023. Some of these forms will be translated into Marshallese for easier understanding.
- Several flowcharts and brochures both in English and Marshallese will be released soon to all stakeholders. These are “easy to understand” steps and procedures that will answer and clarify frequently asked questions about the WC program.
- The Workers’ Compensation Regulations will soon be presented to the Cabinet for review and approval. These regulations will set the guidelines, rules and procedures that will be followed to ensure the smooth and consistent implementation of the WC program starting October 1, 2023.
- The Workers’ Compensation procedural handbook is now 90% complete. This reference manual will provide the detailed structure, system, rules and procedures of the WC program.
- The self-insurance scheme covering the public sector is now being developed under the leadership of PSC Deputy Commissioner Joseph Tibon.
KOMOL TATA ADRIAN FOR YOUR INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WC TASK FORCE AND MISSA. WITHOUT YOUR GUIDANCE, WE WOULD HAVE NOT REACHED THIS FAR.