Senior Citizens in Mkushi district have implored President Hakainde Hichilema to expedite the disbursement of retirees’ benefits across the country.
One Senior citizen, Weston Beso stated that government should ensure the plight of retirees is improved by paying their retirement benefits on time.
He said that he felt compelled to appeal to government on behalf of several retirees who still have not been paid their retirement benefits including leave days from as far back as 2008.
Mr Beso explained that failure to pay the retirees on time negatively affects their economic well-being.
He further said that President Hichilema will not only address the challenges faced by retirees but that he will look into the high cost of living and timely delivery of farming inputs.
Another Senior citizen, Dan Kati said that there is need for government to recognize the efforts of the volunteer community health workers that complement the staff shortage at many rural health facilities in this district.
As journalists you are duty bound to inform citizens correctly. Am therefore disappointed by this LT news crew who only was interested in getting whatever the these retirees wanted to echo without informing them that the president said the coffers are empty. IMF do not give money to pay retirees.
HH PAY RETIREES. YOU PROMISED.
DAY 9
Morning , the new government is doing a great job . Am also appealing that they consider to give benefits to the former B.P oil company employees . Hide my id eff
There is mostly no money for retirees. That’s why the previous government added ten years from 55 to 65 to escape the obligation of packages payoffs. How the current leaders are going to go round this challenge of delayed disbursement will be amazing.
2008 is a long time.
With fiscal discipline we should be able to take care of our retirees and the backlog that has resulted from inept management of our resources (both material and human) of previous administrations. Give HH space; I can see him doing great things. As we continue weeding out warm bodies from organizations of state we will begin to arrest waste of resources.
Give the new government chance to settle down. They are aware of the plight of retirees. Once the ZESCO audit is done, a lot of money will be recovered. Besides a lot of acconts holding billions will also be frozen. Property built or bought dubiously will be sold off.
I am still not sure why government is responsible for their workers benefits. The government is supposed to appoint a financial Institution like Alexander Forbes to manage these funds. They can as well use the funds and invest in a company like Zambia sugar PLC through an investment holdings company. It’s old fashion and embarrassing that people don’t get their benefits 10 years after retiring. And the government is not supposed to be involved in this.
Can we also borrow from the Pension Fund as promised before retirement
This man’s case must taken Priority 1. I have friends who retired even later than this and have got their money and are now getting their monthly payments.
Definitely the retirees debt need to be paid even if its paid slowly than all at once but the dismantling should start with a solid plan.