Offer packages to old pensioners under new pension scheme

Accra, Sept. 23, GNA - A former Women's Organiser of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Ms Lucy Osei, has commended the government for accepting to implement the new three-tier pension scheme in January 2010.

Ms Osei expressed the hope that the new scheme would redeem retired workers from hardships their predecessors went through due to the meagre benefits they got, especially those who retired on the Social Security and National Insurance (SSNIT) scheme.

Speaking to the GNA in an interview, she appealed to the government to extend a hand to the old pensioners most of whom were living in deplorable conditions to enable them also "to feel a little good." She appealed to the government to make accessing of retirement benefits a bit less cumbersome as the bureaucratic system prevailing now had made it difficult for retired workers to access their benefits. Ms Osei further appealed to government to revisit payment of end of service benefits (ESB) She said ESB was suspended for some time but when payment was resumed those who were retired at the time of the suspension were not paid anything.

This, she said, was tantamount to injustice and appealed to the government to restore justice to those who were denied their ESB.