Pensioners Expose SSNIT

Some of the pensioners at the meeting.

Some of the pensioners at the meeting.



The Central Regional Branch of the Pensioners Association has called on the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to, as a matter of urgency, retract the publication in national newspapers that it has increased pensions by 100 per cent.

According to them, SSNIT increased pensions raging from GH¢100-GH¢199 to GH¢200 and gave the rest 10 per cent of their pensions.

The District Chairman of the Association, Thomas K. Appiah made the call at an emergency meeting organized at Cape Coast, the Central regional capital, over the weekend.

Mr Appiah stated that SSNIT has not done enough to promote the rights and wellbeing of pensioners, adding that pensioners are the most vulnerable of all the generational groups, who have suffered most in the country.

‘We have contributed the most to all aspects of social life, examples are the establishment of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) building of the regional hospitals, as well as the student’s loan scheme,’ he added

He expressed concern about high inflation, the recent increases in the prices of petroleum products, electricity, goods and services, as well as the rapid depreciation of the cedi against major currencies.

The district chairman called for the criteria used by SSNIT to work out the meager pension payment to SSNIT pensioners to enable them make recommendations for improved pensions.

‘We want to know why SSNIT pensioners are discriminated against anytime there is increase in salaries for workers, government pensioners enjoy 50% of salary increases for public servants while SSNIT pensioners are denied,’ he said.

Mr Appiah therefore appealed to the government to put measures in place to tie their pension payment to what those in active service were enjoying.

He criticized the refusal of SSNIT to migrate existing SSNIT pensioners since 2008, adding that SSNIT explained that the new law is meant for new pensioners.

From Sarah Afful, Cape Coast
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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