Unfair loss of benefits

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Open letter to the Ministry of Social Security.

I AM writing regarding my non-eligibility for a pension to which I thought I was entitled. I was employed full-time by the then KSAC from 1972 to 1983. I went on 105 days’ vacation leave that I accrued in August 1983. I should have resumed duties on December 14, 1983. I am told that on January 25, 1984, a letter was addressed to me advising to resume duties by February 15, 1984 or I would have been deemed to abandon my job. I never received that letter. I later submitted my resignation letter which was received.

By then, the Municipal Services Commission, on the recommendation of the Establishment Committee, had already declared the post vacant. I understood and accepted that decision to make the post vacant and, therefore, if I wanted that job back, I would have to reapply. That should be all.

I don’t believe that in a modern society, a worker should lose pension benefits where it exists because the worker failed to resign within a prescribed period. Most entities that I know with a pension plan require a minimum of five years full-time continuous employment to become vested. Nothing, except some egregious act, would disenfranchise the employee from pension benefits. It’s earned, and it is unfair for the former employee to be denied, as is happening to me.

Minister, please fix it and make it retroactive so that my years of service and hard work won’t be in vain. LLOYD MCLENNON mococlara@yahoo.com