Dear Editor,
The Government is in the process of preparing its Budget for 2025, and I guess it will be the biggest budget ever, knowing that it’s an Elections year and the government will purposefully have monies for electioneering and to engage in ‘votes buying.’
It is a sinful act when a government shortchanges its populace, especially “seniors.” For this missive, my reference is on NIS pensioners, who were denied increases in their pensions for the periods 2021, 2022 and 2023. It is worthy to note that salaries were increased for those periods, and by right, NIS pensions at the minimum level should have been increased. However, I have concluded that it is a deliberate act by the Jagdeo/Ali regime to deny Guyanese every penny that is rightfully due to them.
Prior to the change in Government in 2020, NIS Pensioners benefited from increases under a caring Coalition Government. This was done without funding from our oil patrimony. It is necessary that I provide the facts! The increases at minimum were as follows: 2015 (8%) $21,352.00; 2016 (17%) $25,000.00; 2017 (10%) $27,500.00; 2018 (9%) $30,000.00; 2019 (7%) $32,100.00 and 2020 (9%) $35,000.00. I recall in January 2024, I wrote a letter to your publication, carried on January 14, 2024, appealing to the Jagdeo/Ali regime for “all pensioners to be paid bigger and better pensions.” Approximately one year after, the regime has failed to accede to the call. Instead, the NIS pension was increased for 2024 by (21.3%) $43,075.00; a paltry $8,075.00 from its last increase in 2020.
Editor, the inaction by the Government’s failure to compensate NIS old age minimum pensioners for the 3 years listed herein, have resulted in an accumulated loss in unadjusted income of $92,496 for each pensioner.
NIS Pensioners suffered injustices for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; some three years where there were no increases in the minimum pension, though salaries were increased for those years; 2021 (8%); 2022 (7%) and 2023 (6.5%) for Public Officers. This, despite several letters by pensioners calling on the regime to address this infraction and be compliant with the National Insurance Scheme Act, Chapter 36:01
The Government is currently finalizing Budget 2025, likely to be presented to the nation by January 2025. Once again, I appeal on behalf of NIS Pensioners for a wrong committed against them to be corrected and consideration be made in Budget 2025 for them to be paid what is justly theirs for 2021, 2022 and 2023! The Government has not given any plausible explanation why increases were not made for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. They cannot say that ‘fiscal space’ is the issue since our country is benefiting tremendously from our oil patrimony.
Additionally, I believe it is time for the government to examine the lifeline of the National Insurance Scheme and make the appropriate injection into the scheme, where all pensioners, below the minimum and above minimum levels, will be able to receive a reasonable monthly pension, and be able to live a comfortable and contentment life.
Editor, I conclude this my second missive to your publication on this issue and look forward with high anticipation the government addressing this sensitive issue, which is by no means a fault of NIS and that of their beneficiaries. It is a fact that the law has been flouted and this must be corrected with immediacy.
Yours truly,
Annette Ferguson, MP
