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{
    "id": 120853,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/120853/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 442,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I stand here to support the Bill. In supporting this Bill, I want to agree that pensioners in this country are people who are not accorded the respect that they deserve. Pensioners in the public service render many years of loyal service to their country, yet when it comes to paying them pension, the Government becomes reluctant to do so. I want to remind the House that in the year 2003, I moved in this House two amendments to Pensions Act, specifically to Section 16 of the Pensions Act. The reason why I did that was because pensioners were retiring and were not accessing their pension because of red tape. For the interest of the House, I would like to read the amendment that was passed by this House. Section 16A, reads as follows:- “A person to whom a pension or other allowance is payable under this Act shall be entitled to be retained in the service until the payment in full of the gratuity payable to him consequent upon the exercise by him of option to receive such gratuity under the provisions of this Act”. I moved this amendment and is now part of the law; this is one of the provisions that are not followed today by the Government. I am surprised when my colleague says we go by the rule of law. If it is by the rule of law, how come this amendment which was done in 2003 is not being followed? How come that pensioners are retiring--- We have heard of hon. Members asking Questions here about members of the public who retire from the public service and spend as many as 10 years before they access their pensions, yet the Act here says they should remain in service until they receive their pensions."
}