By Eric Haurupma – EMTV News, Port Moresby
More than 200 ex-servicemen gathered in front of the Correctional Service (CS) headquarters in Port Moresby to voice their grievances over their outstanding pension payments.
This follows a National Court order, which ordered the administration pay these 246 ex-servicemen.
Commissioner, Michael Waipo, and his executives met with them yesterday to hear their grievances.
President, Richard Hodaku, speaking on behalf of these ex-servicemen, said they had served in the institution for over 30 years and until now they have not been paid their pensions.
He said during the Bougainville crisis the institutions were under staffed, and as a result they had to remain in the institution even though they had gone past their retirement age.
They claimed that in 2009, the matter was brought before the National Court and orders were granted for the CS to pay their pensions. However, to date, they have not received any payments from the institution.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Waipo, who was present this morning with his officers said they will look into solving this matter and urged pensioners to work together with his officers to solve this issue quickly.
Assistant Commissioner – Personal Management, Finance and Administration, Michael Moseri, said they have confirmed 468 ex-service members will be paid pensions as soon as funds are available.
However, the delay is because they have not been considered under the 2016 budget, as allocated by the national government.
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