Aren’t civil servants workers?
Dec 16, 2009
EDITOR—I have read Tema kafeero’s letter entitled “Ssekkono should know where his power begins and ends†published on December 9.<br>
EDITOR—I have read Tema kafeero’s letter entitled “Ssekkono should know where his power begins and ends†published on December 9.
This letter and others have been written in response to my earlier article and statement where I argued that retirement and access age for the Age Benefit by NSSF contributing members should not be reduced from 55 years but maintained as is the case today. My statement which is on the NSSF website covers facts about NSSF, the current policies of the Fund, and my recommendations and suggestions for the future. One of my recommendations and arguments in the statement is that the retirement age of the contributing members of the NSSF should remain at 55 as opposed to the populist proposal that it should be reduced to 45 years. The proposal to reduce the retirement age from 55 to 45 years undermines and negates the whole purpose and goal of the NSSF as a provident and pension fund.
The mandatory retirement age of civil servants in Government is 60 years. Are civil servants not workers? Are their needs and circumstances different from workers under NSSF? My knowledge is that provident and pension funds all over the world are meant to alleviate financial hardships that pensioners often face during old age. In my view, old age does not start at 45 but above 55 years. Most people, who are opposed to my argument are young and do not know the life and needs of pensioners in Uganda. They are making statements to undermine their own interests.
I am a pensioner myself and above 60 years of age. I am, therefore, talking from practical experience and a high degree of sincerity. However, we are proposing that the law should be amended to allow members to either access part of their contributions or borrow using their contributions as collateral.
We are making this proposal in full acknowledgement of the fact that some contributors sometimes face severe financial hardships. Finally, I would like to advise Kafeero that it is neither necessary nor civil to trade insults and peddle falsehoods even when you disagree with a person on matters of national interest.
Vincent B. Ssekkono
Board Chairman
NSSF
This letter and others have been written in response to my earlier article and statement where I argued that retirement and access age for the Age Benefit by NSSF contributing members should not be reduced from 55 years but maintained as is the case today. My statement which is on the NSSF website covers facts about NSSF, the current policies of the Fund, and my recommendations and suggestions for the future. One of my recommendations and arguments in the statement is that the retirement age of the contributing members of the NSSF should remain at 55 as opposed to the populist proposal that it should be reduced to 45 years. The proposal to reduce the retirement age from 55 to 45 years undermines and negates the whole purpose and goal of the NSSF as a provident and pension fund.
The mandatory retirement age of civil servants in Government is 60 years. Are civil servants not workers? Are their needs and circumstances different from workers under NSSF? My knowledge is that provident and pension funds all over the world are meant to alleviate financial hardships that pensioners often face during old age. In my view, old age does not start at 45 but above 55 years. Most people, who are opposed to my argument are young and do not know the life and needs of pensioners in Uganda. They are making statements to undermine their own interests.
I am a pensioner myself and above 60 years of age. I am, therefore, talking from practical experience and a high degree of sincerity. However, we are proposing that the law should be amended to allow members to either access part of their contributions or borrow using their contributions as collateral.
We are making this proposal in full acknowledgement of the fact that some contributors sometimes face severe financial hardships. Finally, I would like to advise Kafeero that it is neither necessary nor civil to trade insults and peddle falsehoods even when you disagree with a person on matters of national interest.
Vincent B. Ssekkono
Board Chairman
NSSF