Dear Editor,
When we received our old-age pension vouchers for 2009 without the amount printed thereon, we felt the 2009 increase would have been realistic.
However, we have now learned the increase for 2009 would be three hundred dollars − a most negligible sum.
How can this caring government that collects billions in VAT be so uncaring about retired Guyanese?
Yours faithfully,
RP Sukul and eleven others
The increase is US$1.50. Totally ridiculous. Where does VAT go anyway? What about the taxes that the business people in Guyana arent paying. Have GRA inspect their records . What about the taxes that these private businesses are deducting from their staff but never handing over to GRA. There are penalties for that. $300 cannot buy a tin of milk or a chicken. It is not even bus fare for a week. Totally unbelievable. It is not even sufficient to see a doctor.
grace,they are lucky to get an increase. you think the govt. got money? try living on welfare in your good old usa and see if you can survive. ONLY LAST WEEK CNN REPORTED THERE ARE 2 MILLION PEOPLE SURVIVING ON FOOD STAMPS IN FLORIDA ALONE! THERE ARE OVER THIRTEEN MILLION FOOD STAMPS USERS IN THE USA. watch your own news before you comment on others.
Hi Quibian, do not worry with my USA status, I have worked with the Ministry of Finance, attended UG where I did government accounting and was involved in Union affairs in Guyana for years. I know that guyanese business men are not paying their share, and if they would, our pensioners can take home a little more. It is so sad. My mum is a pensioner so I know what I am talking about.
On a different note, welfare in the USA has two sides , those who really need it and those who are stealing it. I do not qualify for any welfare benefits but for some reason my colleages working along side me, for the same salary gets it and have the same obigations that I have. That too needs re-vamping. However we are speaking about Guyanese Pensioners and that if the topic here, lets not overshadow this subject, with talk of a first world country.
i am on unemployment insurance right now and can’t pay the bills without the rest of my family helping out. you think the the canadian govt. have plans to increase unemployment insurance? you think they plan to increase old age pension here soon so that people can live on it? not on your life! they always say they don’t have money. pensioners are lucky in guyana to have an increase.