Dear Editor,
I write in support of the contentions of a letter writer, Soorji Bishun, to SN on Friday 2nd instant. It was about the increase in NIS pension to those who are receiving the minimum. There are pensioners who were receiving just above the minimum pension and are now below the minimum, and those who were below the minimum are now above those who were a little above the minimum. I think that those who are responsible for such decisions are either inconsiderate or did not consult the competent authorities about this. While there is no qualm about those at the bottom receiving the increase for the new minimum, any increase in NIS pension must not only consider those at the bottom, but must be across the board.
It is quite disheartening that while those who are between the maximum and the minimum pension margin have deserved an increase (the last being 2019), the difference between the minimum and their monthly take is narrowing because of the increase in one end only. According to Shamshun Mohamed, a frequent letter writer, any NIS benefit increase will likely need the approval of the Board. It is also assumed that during the planning of the budget, the planners dealt with the Board so that the minimum pension could be included. It is my humble view that this one-sided consideration should be remedied because we cannot call on NIS pensioners to go on strike.
Sincerely,
(Name and Address Withheld)