Dear Editor,
A few days ago, I met a pensioner who was coming out of a supermarket and she greeted me and asked what I was doing outside the supermarket. I told her that I was waiting for my wife who was shopping inside. Editor, what she proceeded to tell me caused my heart to break and left such a sick feeling within me, I decided to highlight the plight of pensioners in this country.
This pensioner told me her husband died a few years ago. She receives, per month, $17,500 NIS Survivors’ Pension and Old Age Pension of $28,000 from the government, giving her a grand monthly total of $45,500. Her monthly obligations are – $10,000 for rent, an average of $20,000 to $25,000 for groceries and between $15,000 to $20,000 for purchasing basic nutrients’ like fish and vegetables. She cannot afford fruits and meat. Then she has to purchase other amenities. By now Editor, I guess you get the drift. There is no way this pensioner can survive on the monthly pension she receives, and so, as the saying goes, “she has to cut her belly to survive”, especially since cost of living has skyrocketed. I know the cost of living is affecting all Guyanese, but it is decimating the most vulnerable groups, like the pensioners.
I am appealing to the government to do something for the pensioners of this country who have given their blood, sweat and tears to develop this country and make it what it is today so that this generation, including the President, vice president and the entire cabinet, can enjoy the bounties of this country. And let me make this clear upfront, I do not believe in the one off cash grant that this government is doling out to various sectors in this country, because after the money is finished, what next ? We are back to square one. Regarding pensioners, I am recommending that NIS pension be increased by 50% to all pensioners and Old Age pension to $40,000 per month with immediate effect to help cushion the devastating impact of the high cost of living on our pensioners.
After all, the most this government ought to be doing is making their last few years a happy one. I know infrastructural development is important, but you cannot use all the oil wealth on infrastructure alone and neglect your people who are reeling from the high cost of living and the people in government, businessmen and investors are enjoying the good life. Please Mr. President, listen to the cry of the people and do something for the pensioners of this country.
Sincerely,
Imtiaz Baccus
