By: Fatoumatta Krubally
Government pensioners in The Gambia are appealing to the government for a significant increase in their pension allowances, citing that the current amounts are insufficient to cover necessities such as a bag of rice.
Alagie Mbaye Jeng, a retired telephone telegraph technician and spokesperson for the pensioners, emphasized the need for the government to consider the plight of those who rely solely on their pensions for survival.
In an interview, Mbaye Jeng expressed the challenges faced by pensioners receiving less than D2000 in pension allowances. He stressed that the current amount is inadequate even to purchase a 50kg bag of rice, a staple food in many Gambian households.
Mbaye Jeng highlighted the diverse backgrounds of pensioners, including cleaners, gatekeepers, drivers, and senior civil servants, all of whom are struggling to make ends meet with the meager pension amounts.
One of the key points raised by Mbaye Jeng is the inequity in the 100% increment that the government implemented in 2018.
He pointed out that while some senior civil servants who were already receiving higher pension amounts benefitted significantly from the increase, those who were receiving less than D2000 saw minimal improvement in their allowances.
Mbaye Jeng argued that the uniform increment across the board did not adequately address the needs of pensioners who rely heavily on their pensions for survival.
“The 100% increment the government did in 2018 has no use to the ones that were receiving less than D2000 for pension,” Mbaye Jeng lamented.
Additionally, Mbaye Jeng called for a more substantial adjustment in pension allowances, suggesting that a minimum of D4000 or D5000 would enable pensioners to afford necessities such as food. He emphasized that as family men, the ability to provide a meal like boiled rice can make a significant difference in the lives of pensioners and their families.
“We want to appeal to the government to adjust for us, no matter what, so that we will be able to buy a bag of rice of 50kg because as a family man if you have rice, it will be better,” Mbaye Jeng pleaded.
The plea from government pensioners in The Gambia highlights the challenges faced by retirees who are struggling to make ends meet with inadequate pension allowances. As the government deliberates on budget issues, it is crucial to consider the diverse needs of pensioners and provide a more equitable increase in allowances to ensure their financial security and well-being.
