OVER 100 retirees have been placed on a six-month relief program by the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) as they wait to be paid their retirement packages.
DMMU National Coordinator Chanda Kabwe said Government would not allow retirees to starve as they waited for their benefits because they contributed immensely to the country in various sectors.
Addressing a group of retirees who walked with him from Ministry of Finance to DMMU offices in Lusaka, Mr. Kabwe pledged to deliver their petition to the Vice President in whose office he serves.
Mr Kabwe said his office could only help retirees with basic needs hence the decision to put them on a relief food package.
He said the relief package was not part of their retirement package but a mere help to ensure that they get some food while they wait for their money.
He encouraged them to be calm as Government was processing the dues they worked for.
And Mr Bob Mubiana, who spoke on behalf of the retirees commended the DMMU for giving them food packages.
Mr Mubiana said most retirees were struggling to meet their basic needs as they had not been paid their terminal benefits.
He said the retirees were eager to receive their benefits from Government as it had taken long from the time they retired from the civil service.
He said the retirees were separated from the civil service in the years between 1999 to date and that all of them had not been paid after the court judgment which was in their favour.
Mr Kabwe was intercepted by the retirees at the Ministry of Finance where they had gone to meet the minister regarding their terminal benefits.
At the time Mr Kabwe addressed the retirees, their leaders were reported to be in a meeting at the Ministry of Finance where their matter was being handled.
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