THE EDITOR: Sir,
I AM directing this letter to the Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson.
Dear Sir: You may not have been made aware of the representation being made by the Jamaica Government Pensioners Association, over a protracted period, in an effort to address the plight of pensioners, who, at this point in time, are suffering severe hardships trying to cope with the necessities of life.
Mr. Prime Minister, it does not appear that sufficient attention is being paid to the voice of the Association by those responsible so that a proper hearing can follow to arrive at a satisfactory outcome.
EFFORTS APPRECIATED
Being mindful of the financial constraints, I venture to say that the effort of the Government in providing a small annual allocation was well appreciated.
Even so, Mr. Prime Minister, there is good reason to believe that the distribution of the last allocation as at July 2003, on the principle of 10 per cent across the board did not afford due consideration to those pensioners at the lower end. For example, pensioners already in receipt of $50,000 per month benefited by an additional $5,000 while those in receipt of $10,000 per month, the most vulnerable, only benefited by $1,000.
PROPOSALS
Among the proposals put forward by the executive of the Association was that special consideration be given to those pensioners who retired prior and up to 1995 to raise their monthly allocation to a certain minimum level.
This is an urgent appeal to you, Mr. Prime Minister, to look into the points raised herein as your intervention would be a lasting memory to the distressed pensioners who would be forever grateful.
I am, etc.,
DISTRESSED
PENSIONER
