My govt pension is alsopaltry

THE EDITOR: Chaguanas West MP Ganga Singh has said he supported the clause of the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill for pension hikes for judges and parliamentarians because he realised that for those who have retired, their lives have become “extremely difficult” as they receive a paltry pension.

I want to remind him, and all sitting parliamentarians, that they are representatives not only of those who served in high office but of all the people of TT. I write this on behalf of all

government pensioners who, after working for the people of TT for in many cases over 40 years, are also receiving a paltry pension, and even less that the retired judges and

parliamentarians.

I retired from teaching in 2000 after 38 years and today I have to live on a less than paltry pension. I am still collecting the pension that I received on retirement over 18 years ago – not a cent more.

I have seen salary rises for judges, parliamentarians, government workers and many others, but there is never anything for the government pensioners.

You might have heard of the expression “gone and forgotten.” That refers to government pensioners.

I pray that one day some caring person for whom we have worked to help maintain their standard of living, even one of those sitting in Parliament, would raise a voice for us as our standard of living decreases each day, with everything rising except our pension.

FRANK LEE SING, via e-mail