After working in the public service for over 30 years it's a shame and disgrace that upon retirement as public officers people have to wait from eight months to a year, sometimes more, to receive their gratuity and pension. It's real torture for retirees.
I am appealing to the relevant authorities to address this situation. Retirees have financial commitments too; mortgages to pay, loans, utility bills, families to take care of who are solely dependent on us and everyday living expenses to maintain.
It is unfortunate that some of us lose our homes and vehicles, and have our electricity and telephone services disconnected due to an inability pay the monthly installments.
There is no negotiating with creditors for a suspension of payments for up to a year, until what is due to us after our years of hard work is finally received. The banks and other financial institutions are not so understanding!
What could possibly be the reason for such a long wait? Retirement papers are filed at least six months to a year in advance. Relevant taxes are paid and up to date. Perhaps the Public Services Commission needs to hire more staff to deal with this department so that the process between application and actual retirement date can be fast-tracked for the benefit of thousands of retirees.
Why should it take months for a file to be opened so that a file number can be assigned to a retiree and then appear on the computer data base after documents reach the Pension and Leave Department of the Ministry of Finance? Why should it take months after the file number has been assigned for the Computations Department to send the file to the Auditor Generals Department?
In many instances files are ready to be moved from one stage of the process to another and just need an employee to physically take it from one desk to another. If that employee is sick or took a day off or is on vacation, then these files will sit there until that person returns. Don't we have others who can take over so that the process continues smoothly and with the sense of urgency it requires?
Retirees should be allowed to adjust to their new status in life without added stress at this stage of their lives. Is it too much to ask for our gratuity and pensions to be made ready for payment within one month of retiring? I think creditors will be willing to wait one month before moving in like sharks for the kill.
While retirees are thankful to the government for free bus rides, it is unfair that when we come off the bus we cannot go to the grocery or pay our bills!Please, Mr Minister of Finance, tortured retirees need your intervention now.
Annmarie Daley,
San Fernando