MEHRD hides benefit from retiree

BY JARED KOLI

A retired teacher has slammed the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) for barring her from her long and dedicated service benefit (LDSB).

Ereteta Nantara, who was a teacher for 35 years prior to retirement in 1996, applied for LDSB in 2015 but since then has not received a dollar from the concerned ministry.

“It has been two years now since my application and it seems that the officer have been stalling me all along with requests and excuses that seem to be unreasonable.

“I was told to produce a letter from my Education Authority, and that I did alongside a medical report from the doctor as proof that I was really sick,” Mrs Nantara said.

She said she produced all the documents requested last year only to be told that the budget for LDSB had run out hence would have to come back again the following year.

Early this year, Mrs Nantara returned to Honiara from the Western Province and went back to see the officer in-charge and collect her LDSB but was told that the fund was already deposited in her account in 2012.

She then went to the bank to confirm the transaction but her bank statement showed no such amount was deposited into her account in the said year.

She then went back to the MEHRD office with her bank statement as evidence that she did not receive the amount of $13,405-40 in her account.

Mrs Nantara informs that the Officer claimed that a mistake was made and that they did deposit the money but not in 2012 but much earlier, in 2009.

Bank statement for 2009 also shows no money being deposited as claimed by the education ministry, hinting that Mrs Nantara had been sent on a wild goose chase.

“I am old and tired and I don’t understand why they would deposit my LDSB six years even before I applied. I have provided all the documents they required but still no positive feedback.

“Even all the information they have concerning the years I spent in service and what level I am at is all wrong.

“I was told to produce a letter from controlling authority that was in charge of me and that I did alongside a medical report from the doctor as proof that I was really sick.”

Attempts to speak with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources turned unsuccessful yesterday as responsible staff was out from the office when the paper called in. However, the paper is seeking comments from the office.

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