Dear Editor,
Over the years, I have had to fight a relentless battle with the NIS to get my hard-earned old age benefits corrected. I am currently receiving my Old Age Benefit but there are about 2 years of contributions missing. I won’t give up.
I had a query on the online ‘Queries’ system (#785) since May 13, 2017, which was closed without being addressed. It had to do with the missing contributions. I followed this up with an email in May, 2023, to the PRO after a conversation, who asked if I had any outstanding issues and suggested that I send the details via email. In the email, I provided details regarding my missing contributions. I followed this up with a reminder in November, 2023, and received no response.
Recently, Mr. E.B. John wrote a letter to the editor outlining his issues, and I wrote in the chat asking the Assistant PRO if the PRO could respond to my emails. I followed this up with an email on July 20, to public_relations@nis.org.gy which read: “After not receiving a response to my email for more than 14 months, I have asked Miss Khan, whose letter appeared in today’s SN, to ask you to respond via the chat. Hope you have a good day. Thank you.”
Surprise! Surprise! The mere mention of SN had some clout. This is the response I got from the Assistant PRO via email on July 22: “Good morning, Thank you for reaching out! Our Pension is still being processed; it was updated as of the 3rd of July 2024. It is currently with the Pensions Supervisor for further processing. Do have a great day!”
Here was my reply:
Hi Sir/Madam/Assistant PRO,
I am at a loss to understand the nature of your reply. The crux of my concern was not even faintly addressed. Despite my systematic and thorough presentation of my case, it seems I may have to wait yet another year for any action to be taken. The NIS continues with its feeble and puerile attempts to, what I believe, hoodwink me without showing even an iota of good corporate behaviour. I do not want to hear, and I quote you, “Our Pension is still being processed. It was updated as of the 3rd of July 2024, and it is currently with the Pensions Supervisor for further processing. Do have a great day!’ I want you to address my concern directly.’” Who, in heaven’s name, will have a good day with such a reply?
Editor, I have nothing against the PRO or any other staff at the NIS, but how can the contributor accept such service with that kind of reply and receive no response from emails sent? My query #785 was closed without being assigned to a staff and for the longest while there were no more tickets to post a query on the online system. Their reply is not addressing my issue but seems to be a boiler plate response. Over the years I had to fight NIS via SN, then and only then does NIS respond. Thanks SN.
Sincerely,
(Name and Address Withheld)
