THE EDITOR, Sir:
A WOMAN who is now over 70 years of age worked and contributed to the NIS from its inception to 1974. On reaching the pensionable age she applied for her old age pension. She was told that floods have destroyed the records of her contributions prior to 1970 therefore she was eligible for a grant of only $460.08. People who worked with her during the period were receiving pension because they could produce pay slips.
The Public Defender was asked to intervene and has succeeded in getting the Ministry to 'find' this woman's records and she is now in receipt of a pension. This took the Public Defender nearly two years.
I am appealing to the Government to increase the staff of the Public Defender as there are hundreds of cases where uncaring agents of the Government are denying people their rightful benefits.
Anyone who feels that he has been denied justice should not hesitate to appeal to the Public Defender.
Mr. Howard Hamilton is indeed a public servant.
I am, etc.,
JON GORDON
Antrim Road
Kingston 3
