In the 2016 Budget Address, the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Roosevelt Skerrit announced a 50% increase in the value of the non-contributory pension paid to senior citizens over the age of 70 years. That increase was received by the beneficiaries at the end of September, 2016 as was announced.
The Government of Dominica also announced its plans to discuss with the Dominica Social Security (DSS) the possibility of increasing the minimum pension paid by the DSS. It was expected that, that agreement would have been reached by January, 2017. Government is pleased to note that the agreement has been reached with the DSS much earlier and the increase in the minimum pension also became effective this September, 2016. In fact, those who are paid fortnightly would have already received their first payment.
The increase by the DSS means that those DSS pensioners who are over the age of 70 will receive the full EC$300.00 from the DSS and would not be receiving any further amount from the Government non-contributory programme.
We thank the DSS for working with the Government to meet the needs of the elderly. We take the opportunity to encourage all self-employed persons to commit to making regular contributions to the DSS.
respect the elders they that prune us
Skerrit is a big joke and a political opportunist preying on the poor and vulnerable people, in this case people who are over 7o years. It is for fame, popularity and “we love our PM wi”.
A country must build and increase its resources, albeit, finance, revenue that money circulates that people are able to get a decent pension, but first have people employed that there will be no strain on the state`s resources to take care of those coming up that they are well resourced to invest in education to give back to the state. This is all about Skerrit and Skerrit and Skerrit only.
There are young people dying for resources to invest in their future, for example, university, skills training and other fields, could be cricket, journalism etc,.
God Bless. Please kick Skerrit and band of incompetent government, here and at the UN, to get out of Dominica
This is excellent. Tells me this is a government that cares for its citizens.
Skerrit does everything with a political intent.
70 years and older getting raise but those employed CANNOT get a raise. If you are employed and have been for the past 15 years and got a raise whether .5%, 1% or 5% then give me a thumbs down. However, if you can’t remember the last time you got a raise under Skerrit, please give me a thumbs up. Let’s be honest with ourselves folks
We have to take care of the elderly you heartless fool
lol. and we well struggling to take care of our self lol
Added to that teachers, nurses, and other public officers acting for years upon years can’t be appointed. I Have nothing against assisting our elderly but fairness, equity and proper enumeration should be given when and where it is due and stop playing politics with the people. There seem to have been no issue raising the Madame Speaker salary no matter how unconstitutional it was. There was no issue in appointing all the Labour party candidates who lost their bid to be elected, there are apparently no issues with placing NEPs in established positions aided and abetted by a person who proclaims to be a faithful Christian. However there are always issues why public officers can’t get a salary increase. Why Public Works are still out of work. The hateful thing is public officers seat and take that crap. They see the injustices come through their desk daily but say and do nothing.They will disc their union and go along to flag red flags even if it means keeping them in bondage.
Thank you very much my PM, you promised and you delivered however I am still waiting for the dollar a pound for bananas which was promised prior to the 1995 election!!!
Remind the government of this election promise. My speculation is, there could be a reason why this commitment was not fulfilled.
Keep in mind of the hardships of hurricanes/storms, probably droughts and remember the virus which attacked the banana trees, actually killed many of them and of course decreased this produce. Therefore farmers are not able to sell as much as they thought, resulting in the government not being able to fulfill its commitment.
Keep an open mind on that. Do not criticize. Simply ask questions in an amicable manner.
I am the son of a 78 year old woman who has five siblings and all of us graduated from high school. Out of the five I am the ONLY employed, and yet after 11 yrs working for the government, my employment status is still unconfirmed because the government is yet to appoint me, let alone give me a promotion that would put me in a better position to help mamo. While I am not opposed to the 50% raise announced, someone will have to tell me why Skerrit is keen to give raises to the elderly almost every year yet, those of us that are employed cannot get a raise after how many years. If Skerrit was really interested in the elderly he would try to create employment for those who are unemployed give timely raises to those employed so all of us would take care of our parents and relatives as our religious obligation according to 1 Timothy 5:16 and not have to depend on politicians. Skerrit is ONLY concerned about winning election so that’s his way of buying the elderly.
That is truly sad that you are the only employed out of your 5 siblings. Too bad none of you considered self employment. A profession you could do to be gainfully employed. Farming comes quickly to mind. Everyone needs food to survive, so that could be a good source of income. If your mother is 78 you and your siblings are still very young; so you still have time to learn a skill to open your own business. I wish you and siblings the best of luck.
The elderly deserves the raise because they are the ones who worked before you to allow you to have what you have now. And hopefully when you are your Mamo age and she is well gone, you will also appreciate the benefit. Hopefully, it will still be there.
Oh pleaseeeeee
I wished it were not so with you. This situation would definitely make you bitter and frustrated.
You have a supervisor/manager, have you spoken to him/her to address this issue to the PM? Surely after 11 years you should be employed on a permanent basis with a job title and equivalent responsibility, commensurate with salary.
If you are unionized this could be the problem. It looks like you are entitled to a salary increase. It is worth looking into.
Amen…Amen, My point, my point. good point, well said and thought of. You are so right to conclude that Skerrit is engaged in opportunistic and “Real Dirty Politics”.
Let families take care of families, Dominica cannot afford to run like a welfare state. Where is the money going to come from?
Skerrit and the DLP destroyed every growth engine in the country, and the old people are the first group of people to feel it, now he coming like the knight in shinning amour to save them
Its no different in breaking someones leg and turning around and give the a pair of bitchee
Thank you but it is not entirely clear. Is this pension universal? In other words does anyone 70 and over qualify or is it conditional. It would be helpful if the DSS/Govt. gave full details to avoid any confusion or possible disappointment.
Yes, for instance do a non married couple, living toghehter and both over 70 get 2x$300 or do they have to live apart? Details like that could me made public in a press release.
Where are those funds coming from & what increase in Revenue could possibly warrant for such an increase ? Woye woye woye that government has misplaced it’s focus and our funds time and time agian. Public servants deserve an increase in wages. I hope this increase in disposable finances is reflected in all other public sectors and wages for the new fiscal year. This spirit of giving needs to end in this administration. DLP worse than santa ?
Do not ask where the funds are coming from. This is left up to the government and not members of the public.
The increase may have been given to the seniors who qualify due to the high and increased cost of living. Senior citizens must be taken care of. Today, they are more fortunate than in bygone years.