Dear Editor,

To date MMA/ADA has not increased the pension of pensioners in accordance to the 5% increase that was given to public servants in December 2006, retroactive from January 2006. Pensioners are still receiving payments at the level of $12,400 at the minimum rate and this is for the year 2005.

It is already ten months in the year 2007 and nothing has been done to increase these payments even though this matter was brought to the attention of the Minister of Agriculture Mr. Robert Persaud by pensioners of MMA/ADA in the month of August 2007.

The MMA Act says that the conditions of employment must be no less favourable than those enjoyed by public officers and this gives pensioners the right at MMA to the increase in their pension, which is at the minimum level of $13,000 per month.

Yours faithfully,

Leyland Paul