Put retirees on social cash transfer – NGO

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 08:28:24 +0000

By BENNIE MUNDANDO

GOVERNMENT must consider putting retirees who have not received their dues on social cash transfer to mitigate against the increasing levels of destitution and poverty among them, says the Gallant Youths in Zambia (GYZ).

GYZ executive director Henry Mulenga said most of the former employees of Government had become destitute and poor which was one of the main reasons most of them have died before getting their dues.

Mr Mulenga noted that most of them left the civil service as far back as 1990 hence the need to look into their plight as leaving them in the cold had devastating effects.

Mr. Mulenga said in an interview that having interacted with some of the old people who were in courts everyday battling for their dues, he felt sorry for them in that after providing a service, they were left in the cold. He said it was clear that there was need for Government to come up with a mechanism that will ensure that those who retired where given their dues within the shortest time.

Mr Mulenga said some retirees had been sent to their early graves as they could not cope with the hardships of living without any source of livelihood.

The little investment most of them would have made while they were in service could not sustain them thus far.

“The plight of the retirees is of great concern and we feel Government could consider having them on the social cash transfer package before they get their dues. “This will help to cushion their burdens and the challenges they are going through. It is sad that people who have contributed so much to the development of this country have been turned into destitutes,” said Mr Mulenga.