Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. - file

A special committee is to be established to examine the reasons behind the delay in processing pension payments for retired public sector workers, according to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

This was one of the decisions reached at a meeting Wednesday between Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and representatives of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), held at Jamaica House in St. Andrew.

The meeting was convened to highlight matters of concern to the trade union movement ahead of a two-day Cabinet retreat which was scheduled to begin yesterday.

According to the OPM, Mrs. Simpson Miller said it was unacceptable that, after years of service to their country, retired public sector workers should experience prolonged delays in receiving their pension. She said the matter must be thoroughly examined and corrective measures implemented to speed up the process.

"The committee, which will include representatives of the JCTU, has been mandated to determine the combination of factors responsible for the delay and make recommendations directly to the Prime Minister," the OPM said. At the meeting, the JCTU representatives reportedly highlighted the difficulties experienced by retired public sector workers, especially teachers, who sometimes have to wait years after retirement before receiving their pension.