Pension injustice for retired principals

THE EDITOR: Please give me a little space in your newspaper to remind the relevant authorities of the sad plight of a body of forgotten, neglected, badly treated pensioners. I refer here to two letters published in your newspaper recently — one by retired school principal Samuel Doodnath the other by Ramdass Harrylal who wrote and got publication: “Nothing for Government Pensioners.” The case exists and presses for urgent attention for an early increase in pensions for retired school principals who, after giving over 40 years or so of service at the primary school level, are in receipt of the paltry sum of $1,600 per month at the age of 90 years and over.

This is a most pathetic and striking case of gross treatment, tantamount to injustice, discrimination and neglect. How can a teacher of this age with a family to support, has to meet all the facets of the ever-rising and high cost of living, medical bills consequent upon old age and ill health plus all the other exigencies that usually arise, continue to subsist? After giviging a life-time of service to the nation such pensioners do not have even the baisc necessities to exist in dignity. It is more than high time for Government to give priority to improving the living standards of this highly deserving and neglected body. One looks forward with much hope and expectation for some measure of relief — much-needed in this regard. There have been pay hikes all around. Lo and behold Government gave itself two huge salary increases in its first 12 months in power. Old age pension has been raised to $1,000 monthly . National Insurance pensioners are to move up to $1,000. The economy is in a healthy state, a natural gas and oil boom is in sight. In the face of such prosperity where is the “caring” and high quality of life promised by the Prime Minister? We seem to have moved from a “we care” to a “we couldn’t care less, let those who suffer, continue to do so attitude.” How appropriately has it been said, “the older a person becomes the need for adequate funding is more critical.” The time for this most pressing and deserving measure of increase is now — the appropriation of the new budget in progress.

JAMES  RAMNATH
Sangre Grande