Banana Board pensioners
published: Tuesday | July 4, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I AM appealing through The Gleaner to the authorities not to turn a blind eye on the Banana Board pensioners who are suffering severe hardship due to hard-hearted top management.

The Banana Board decided to wind up the pension fund established for the employees in 1986, without adequate provision for those on pension and those entitled to future pension benefits, to acquire the surplus of over twelve million dollars to meet the debts guaranteed by the Government of Jamaica.

How can one live on the brink within the range of $300 to $1200 per month, after contributing 6 per cent of their salary and the Banana Board 10 per cent to each employee?

The question is as a pensioner, I am worse off than those on the PATH Programme. As such can poverty be alleviated without knowing the cost? And no definite person is responsible for the dismal state Banana Board pensioners are subjected to, although the workers were subjected to the Government's job classification and pay scales.

I am, etc.,

ANDREW BROWN

Son of a pensioner

Redberry, Porus P.O.

Manchester