President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that the UPND government has started paying off the retirees who spent many years waiting for their pension.
In a facebook post the President said the 2022 budget, has allocated K2.1 billion to dismantle the outstanding arrears.
“Our preoccupation is not the 2026 election, but serving the people of Zambia,” President Hichilema said.
Earlier this month Information and Media Development Minister Chushi Kasanda said that funds that will be saved from the removal of subsidies on fuel and electricity would go towards paying retirees and other needy areas.
Ms. Kasanda said that subsidizing on fuel alone, costs the government about US$67 Million per month which can be channeled to other needy areas. She said that it is not fair that Government should continue to subsidize fuel when other people who have worked for the country continue to live in abject poverty.
After the UPND won the General Elections this year Senior Citizens in Mkushi district 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.
The pf govt was paying benefits in each budget. You cannot pay every one all at the same time, same way you have only allocated 1.2 billion. So stop trying to show like you are Jesus Christ. Fuseke
Look at this this PF he goat. Your party lamentably failed and even the decent economy bequeathed to you by MMD with debt wiped out was again destroyed by your PF government, you are the last chap who should even say anything
It doesn’t mean retirees have been paid all along. You can not pay everyone at the same time. Very soon some will start to complain.
Alalila owe chikoko mwikata, wina azaimangilia this year! This is how government should work not to be preoccopied with winning the next election!
Editors today we give it to you. The ‘retiree’ in the picture is a perfect match for the story. Kikikiki
Well done as this exhibits some degree of caring and allowing retention of dignity in retirement than consigning retirees to destitution! While many have transitioned it is only fair that those left behind will receive the full package of the entitlements and come to think of it that by withholding the entitlements of retirees in benefits government was in essence stifling the economy of money in circulation! Hope this helps give footing to many families turned paupers by their government
The UPND government is a serious one, not the PF who served for ten years with mediocrity and rightly shown the door by uncompromising Zambians. UNIP 27 years, MMD 20 years, PF only 10 years knocked out, the Zambian people are serious and are not being bought by cheap psychological blogging by renegade PF remnants here
It makes sense that money from subsidies is being channeled towards citizens who rightfully deserve it as in this case. A government should be commended whenever they honour people who have worked for the country. Whether PF, UPND or whotever they are.
Some retirees have staled projects. This should help some get things get moving and in turn help families, there struggling children and grand children. You already have increased CDF kicking in next year. Parents need less money for kids to go to school next year than before. Life in most parts of it is a gamble but when a fisherman has time to set enough traps and nets, then he/she has a greater chance of catching some fish for dinner. Even with subsidy removal, covid, copper prices fluctuating, we seem to have a game plan. You need a battle plan even when you are faced with a mighty army.
@8 not only families to benefit, these benefits will also stimulate activity in the local economy and create jobs such as in construction of homes etc
Very very well said #1.1 Munthuwamba .That PF he goat has selective memory.
Stop lying Kaizar Zulu ,the PF gov’t created this monster by wrecking the Zambian economy & finances.Well done HH for righting some PF wrongs.
MzambiA and your fellow clown enka, stop being emotional for once. Upnd is now in power and yet all you ever talk about and blame is pf. Go and check the records to see the benefits that we’re paid during our tenure. How can you claim not a single benefit was.paid ? You only support things that are done by your fellow tribesmen. Fuseke tallmbarnocall
Paying off because of the Kabwata bi elections, Shame on you
Hahaha , the rabid embwa from Misisi slums aka KZ has gotten massive down votes as usual.
But well done HH gov’t for paying arrears.
Welldone bally and may this extend to families whose main beneficiaries died as a result of losing hope… and one can wonder how easiest the task of paying retirees went horribly wrong under lungu and pf…
Well done Bally(bury) but please also make sure former BP employees, whose pension scheme was administered by one of your companies are also paid.