THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WISH to clarify an issue raised in a letter entitled "Unfair Treatment" in the October 14, 2002, edition of your paper. The writer of this letter, a former employee of Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo), incorrectly implies that there has been a change in the company's policy regarding electricity benefits to pensioners since the change in JPSCo's ownership structure.
There has been no change in this policy. JPSCo grants an electricity discount to current employees and pensioners. Persons who qualify for this benefit as pensioners fall in the following categories:
1) Those persons who had reached normal retirement age (65 for males, 60 for females) whilst in the company's employ;
2) Persons who retired due to ill-health;
3) Persons who retired by virtue of the stipulations of the early retirement policy.
4) The widows of pensioners who retired under any of the above circumstances.
Under this policy, it has always been the case that deferred pensioners, like the writer of the letter in Monday's Gleaner, do not qualify for this benefit.
I am, etc.,
FRANK A. RAY
Director, External Affairs
