‘Pensioners still reeling from adverse effects of COVID’
BEACHCOMBER heard about a group of kava swipers discussing how they would campaign in an election.
“Today, everybody has their head down and on the phone all the time,” said Mr Know-it-all.
“I would just send a text message to everyone and say ‘if you want to know something about me, text mai’.
Vacava tu!
MANY pensioners with limited funds in their provident fund accounts are still reeling from the adverse effects of COVID.
This, according to Pearce Home Trust chairman and former director of the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) Mohammed Hassan Khan.
He made the statement while speaking in an interview with The Fiji Times.
He said part of the adverse effects was due to the reduction of the pensions brought on by the onset of the pandemic.
“This all came about because I think a few people had issues with some people, I think about 10 or 20 people were receiving huge pensions because they were in that type of employment that they saved up and then their pensions were huge,” he said.
“But for only that reason, the entire pension scheme has been, you know, people have been victimised and a lot of people with a very small amount have been affected.
“Even during this COVID time, they have made payments. I think there was only one payment from FNPF across the board, but otherwise the FNPF pensioners have not benefitted at all from any of the handouts the Government’s given or the entitlements that older people required.”
In addition, Mr Khan said people were not consulted prior to the decision being made and said many were now “suffering in silence”.
He acknowledged that a few lucky ones had their children supporting them during tough times and some savings to keep them afloat.
“Really, it’s unimaginable. Those who do not have pensions, even if you have a small pension, a social pension, it’s very difficult.
“Again, there’s no one doing service or measuring the difficulties that people are going through and everyone is hoping that things hopefully turn out and these are not happening.”