THE EDITOR, Sir:
The recent reports in the media concerning increases to Government Pensioners for the year 2002-2003 have unfortunately created levels of uncertainty, confusion and high expectations among pensioners and the general public. This situation has been a source of serious embarrass
ments for members of the Executive Committee of the Jamaica Government Pensioners' Association.
We have been deluged with joyful telephone calls and other enquiries and faced with the distressing duty to dispel the illusion that an appreciable or even barely reasonable increase was forthcoming.
In the interest of clarity and to correct misunderstandings we set out hereunder some relevant facts and ask your assistance in publishing this letter.
The Government allocated $200 million for increases for the year 2002 to 2003 for some 16,000 pensioners of Central Government, Parish Councils, the K.S.A.C. and some statutory corporations. The distribution which this could accommodate and which was recommended and approved is as follows:
1. The minimum pension has been increased from $6,000 to $10,000 per month. Thus, over 7,000 pensioners now receiving between $6,000 and $9,999 (average $8,500 per month) will now receive $10,000 per month or an increase of $1,000 per month whichever is higher.
2. Over 6,000 pensioners now receiving between $10,000 and $24,999 (average $14,000 per month) will receive an increase of $1,000 per month or $172 per week after tax.
3. Some 600 pensioners now receiving between $25,000 and $39,999 and some 350 receiving between $40,000 and $50,000 per month will receive an increase of $833.33 per month or $120 per week after tax.
4. Pensioners receiving $50,000 per month and more could not be accommodated.
At these levels, percentages are irrelevant. For the preceding year 2001 to 2002 pensioners received an increase of $600 per month of $103.37 per week after tax. Based on our interchanges with the responsible authorities, we expected and hoped for a deserved and overdue improvement this year. Obviously, this has not happened. Instead, we now share the crumbs of disappointment and further injustice.
I am, etc
C. CLINTON DAVIS
President
