THE EDITOR, Sir:I WAS sent on pre-retirement leave in July 2002 after 24 years as a public servant and begun contacting the Ministry of Finance's pension division regarding obtaining a reduced pension and gratuity.
I later received a copy of a letter that was sent to the Social Development Commission (SDC) advising the organisation of an advance payment and an allowance that should be paid to me. To date, I have not received a cent and my expenses keep rising.
Sir, I have wasted several hours communicating with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, the Human Resources Manager and the Financial Controller of the SDC trying to get an initial payment and none of them was able to give me information about my due benefits under the Pensions Act.
My problem does not stop there, because I went to the SDC on secondment for the Children's Services Division in 1982 and, to my dismay, was informed in December 2003 by the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Client Services division, that I will not be able to receive monthly pensions because the Ministry has not received certain documents from the Children's Services that should be sent through the SDC.
Isn't this a disgrace and wanton disregard of public servants who, after toiling for their country, are discarded to suffer.
Sir, how long can I wait for payment after 24 years of faithful service? I am asthmatic and a diabetic, having no health insurance to help meet my high medical bills.
Will the Government please honour its obligations to a retired public servant?
I am, etc,
AMY BROWN
Justice of the Peace
St. Catherine
