Pensioners lament over tariff increment, call for 20% hike in allowance

Pensioners of the Migrants and Labour General Workers Union have argued that the recent tariff increment by government for utility services gives cause to their call for a 20 percent increase of their pensions.

According to the union, the standard 10 percent increment in tariffs does not reflect the current cost of living in the country, making it impossible for pensioners to survive.

President of the union, Moses Tei Partey, in an interview with Accra based Starr FM, worried that the GHS300 and GHS500 monthly pension paid by government was miserably inadequate.

‘’Because of the minimal amount they receive, they are unable to take care of their responsibilities as well as afford some social services such as hospital and utility bills,’’ he lamented.

The union is therefore requesting government to provide decent jobs, policies for pensioners and retirees in the country to enable them generate decent pensions.

The United Nations backed Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 10 agenda themed, “The Journey to Age Equality,” sets to reduce inequality within and among countries and aims to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, through measures to eliminate discrimination, and to empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion.

The President of the union urged Government to play its part in ensuring that the purpose of the theme is thoroughly achieved.

SDG Goals

The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognizes that development will only be achievable if it is inclusive of all ages. Empowering older persons in all dimensions of development, including promoting their active participation in the social, economic and political lives is one way to ensure their inclusiveness and reduce inequalities.

Often, disparities in old age reflect an accumulated disadvantage characterized by factors such as: location, gender, socio?economic status, health, income, etc.

Between 2015 and 2030, the number of people aged 60 and over is expected to increase from 901 million to 1.4 billion. In this regard, trends of ageing and economic inequality interact across generations and rapid population ageing, demographic and societal or structural changes alone can exacerbate older age inequalities, thereby limiting economic growth and social cohesion.

The sub themes will focus on (i) the care sector- as a contributor of decent work (ii) lifelong learning and proactive and adaptive labour policies (iii) universal health coverage and (iv) social protective measures.