Dear Editor,
I direct this appeal to the Honourable Subject Ministers of the Ministries of Human Services and Ministry of Communities; General Manager of the National Insurance Scheme; Ladies and Gentlemen of the banking and business sector. I am seeking your support to reduce the monthly stress and difficulties experienced by Old Age Pensioners.
Notwithstanding the efforts being made by the Guyana Post Office Corporation and National Insurance Scheme, the present system requires that pensioners collect their monthly “freck” from the post offices. Under the present pandemic scenario, this has proven extremely frustrating as thousands have to wait long hours in the sun (or rain) just to get inside the Post Office to cash the voucher. Even under normal circumstances the wait can be torturous especially when cash runs out. The lessons learnt during this crisis spur me to contemplate new and better ways to conduct the routine, hence my four-point suggestion below.
I implore the relevant officials to kindly consider the following suggestions:
a) Implement a system where the vouchers can be cashed at banks or deposited at ATMs.
b) Open the system so that supermarkets can accept the vouchers in place of cash (subject to the existing identification protocols). This will cut out the arduous leg of pensioner’s monthly excursion.
c) Where feasible and agreeable deposit the vouchers to the pensioner’s bank account. Pensioners who select such an option can be treated as overseas pensioners are. They can be advised when their funds are available by a general email or by an app from the relevant Ministry or National Insurance Scheme.
d) Please amend the rules to make the pension vouchers a resource that can be used to pay utilities, rent and hire purchase instalments.
I beseech the relevant officials and entities to consider the above suggestion and come up with a protocol that would grant relief to those of us who in our prime contributed to the profitability and success of this nation, with a pertinent reminder that one day (sooner than you think) you will be standing where pensioners are today.
Sincerest appreciation is extended to the staff of the National Insurance Scheme; Ministry of Communities and Ministry of Human Services and the Guyana Post Office Corporation for their patience and courage in these difficult times.
May God restore in all of us a sense of compassion for the vulnerable and respect for the elderly.
Yours faithfully,
Michael O. S. Kendall
