Dear Editor,
Reference is made to the Kaieteur News headline of the Saturday, January, 23 edition entitled ‘GRA: Sattaur backdates GRA’s pension claim, collects $12M.’ I wish to categorically deny the claim made that I received a lump sum payment of G$12M and that I had backdated my pension plan. I have carefully read the Kaieteur News article and find the report scandalous, inaccurate and misleading, and furthermore, it is designed to taint and tarnish my character. For this reason I will be speaking to my lawyers to take such action as is deemed necessary in the matter.
For the benefit of those who are interested in the facts, let me recap the circumstances surrounding the matter.
In 2014, the then Board of Directors requested a legal opinion from a prominent lawyer concerning the normal human resource practices of the GRA before adopting a new policy. The legal opinion was given in November, 2014. I did a proper study of the opinion in April 2015, as it covered many topics and one topic was the eligibility for contributing to the GRA pension plan, as this was one such area that required clarification. Upon reading this, I approached both the HR and Legal Department on my eligibility for membership of the scheme.
I was rather pleased with the response received regarding my eligibility for contributing to the pension scheme, and further the opinion given that I could actually backdate my membership to the Demlife pension scheme from as far back as September 2007 when I became a permanent staff member of the GRA and commenced receiving salaries from the public treasury. Prior to August 2007, I was on a foreign funded contract receiving a special US based salary.
With regard to backdating the registration, I was informed by the HR department that such a decision was dependent on acceptance from the operators of the pension scheme, Demlife, and the necessary funds being made available, both “by” the employer “with a contribution of” $12 million and employee $6 million contribution, “for” a total sum of in excess of $18 million (the sum I would have accumulated if I had started paying the pension Scheme in 2007), inaccurately reported as $12 million in the article. Initially I was hesitant and reluctant to request that the
backdating of the registration be done, however, I was assured by the Human Resource Department that this was a normal practice and was given five such cases to peruse for my satisfaction. (I have the names in my possession.)
The Head of the Corporate Services Department, Ms Ingrid Griffith, by letter dated 6th May 2015, addressed to the Minister of Finance and copied to Ms Sonya Roopnauth requested the necessary funds to backdate my membership to the scheme. Subsequently the necessary funds were provided by both myself and the Ministry after approval was given.
Had the Chairman requested the necessary information from the Finance Department such explanations would have been given, or if he had requested an explanation from me, I would have provided the necessary documents and explanations as regards my membership. I was subsequently issued with a letter dated 8th May 2015, from the Head of the Human Resource Department that I am now a member of the scheme, retroactive from August 2007 “with requirement” that I make the employee contribution in excess of $6M.
It should be noted that the necessary funds are required to be paid into the scheme and as such I am not a beneficiary until I have severed my employment with the agency.
Once again I am extremely disappointed, because had the Chairman made the necessary request from the Human Resources Department concerning the said issue the necessary explanations would have been forthcoming.
Following the release of the government’s $12M my $6M was lodged with the Demlife company to cover for 2007-2015. I then started contributing on 8th May 2015.
I am disturbed to say the least and for the record I will state that this is an ominous development. I do not intend to waste any more of my precious time on this matter and would be requesting my lawyers to take the necessary action to ensure that I receive not only my just treatment as a former terminated employee of the GRA, but that my reputation is protected.
Yours faithfully,
Khurshid Sattaur
