State retirees will also receive 25% raise

About 25,000 state retirees will receive a 25% as promised by the government. But they will not the raise simultaneously as the government has divided its retired workforce in 3 groups. The first group will receive the raise on November 15, the second group will get its raise on December 15 and the third group is scheduled to receive the raise in February or March. After the state employees received a 25% raise in September, the state retirees made it clear that they were also entitled to a 25% raise.

The chairwoman of the Association of State Retirees (BBGO), Renate WoudenBhugwandass, pointed out that President Desi Bouterse decided to divide the retired workforce in 3 groups because the government could not cough up so much money outright. She also pointed out that retired teachers must also receive the 2017 revaluation with retroactive effect and that state retirees are also entitled to the purchasing power boost. Wouden added that the pension plan of a group of state retirees still has not been taken care of and that state officials promised to address the issue soon because it plays an important role in the monthly payment of state pensions. The chairwoman applauded the president for meeting with the union and for listening to the problems before indicating that he would find solutions. According to Wouden, the BBGO will hold a union meeting next week to inform the union members of the president’s proposals.