MINISTER of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence on Wednesday visited several post offices in Region Three in order to have a firsthand view of the working conditions of the employees, as well as to interact with pensioners. The Minister, during her tour of the facilities used the opportunity to find out what are some of the challenges faced by the employees, as well as customers.

While addressing pensioners at one of the facilities, she said, “the president has given me the task to take care of you, and I’m very very happy to do so, so today I’m going around to several post offices so that I can see what you go through …there are definitely some changes that will have to be made, but before we make that change, we don’t want to sit in the office and make that change, we got to get on the ground, and see what’s happening, what you are experiencing and at the same time what the staff of the post office is experiencing, so that we can make informed decisions.”

She added that it would be difficult to announce what changes will be made because the situation will have to be properly analysed before a conclusion can be made. “I cannot tell you what we are going to do now, as I said this is an inquiry stage that I’m at, and so we will work towards bettering this condition of how you receive your pension,” she said.
Minister Lawrence also pointed out that there will be some sort of increase in pensions, but government is looking at a holistic improvement of services for the elderly.
“We want to ensure that all of the facilities from which you have to get your service, the post office, where you are getting your pension, the health centre where you have to go so that our people can take care of you, to ensure that you have your medication… that you are being treated as one of our prime categories of people because that is how…we see you…one of the things we want to look at too is the kind of service that is meted out to you…,” she noted.
The Minister further urged the senior citizens to share their knowledge with the younger generation.

She also strongly emphasised the need for courteousness and respect to be shown to pensioners by the staff at the post offices. She said that she will not accept excuses.

The Social Protection Minister stressed, “If you tell me to come here for 7 ‘o’ clock, then when I come here at 7 ‘o’ clock , I expect you to be ready to serve me….when I come you must be ready to do business…the post office must ensure that they provide a quick and efficient service.” (GINA)