HELB Warns Employers Over Loan Deductions
Workers could pay the price for money their employers have already deducted from their salaries. The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has warned employers to remit employees’ loan deductions by the 15th of every month, cautioning that delays could expose businesses to prosecution and civil debt recovery.
In a public notice HELB reminded employers to declare deductions accurately and ensure the money reaches the board within the stipulated deadline to protect employees’ loan repayment records.
The board emphasised that deductions made from employees’ salaries must be remitted on time to keep their loan accounts in good standing and prevent complications arising from delayed payments.
Employers who fail to comply risk legal action, including prosecution and civil debt recovery, as HELB intensifies efforts to collect outstanding loan repayments.
The warning comes as the board seeks to strengthen loan recovery and ensure funds are available to support other students pursuing higher education. Delayed remittances can complicate the tracking of repayments and leave employees uncertain about the status of their loan accounts, even when the money has already been deducted from their salaries.
HELB has urged employers to beat the monthly deadline and maintain accurate declarations to avoid penalties and ensure compliance with its requirements.
The warning raises a critical question , should employees have to worry about their loan accounts when their employers have already taken the money directly from their salaries?