Officials from Social Protection Ministry address concerns of Lindeners

VIOLATION of labour regulations and employees’ rights and unacceptable levels of truancy among students dominated Linden residents’ concerns when they met recently with Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence and Minister within the Ministry, Keith Scott.

The once-thriving bauxite-mining town of Linden, in Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice) also want a dedicated safe space for youths, as well as a safe space for children and victims of domestic and other forms abuse a release from the Ministry said.

Minister Lawrence and her team also heard that ‘Lindeners’ want  a home for the elderly in the Region and alternative sentencing policies favourable for young and first time offenders who commit minor offences.

Residents are also looking forward to free transportation for pensioners; increases in the Public Assistance vouchers; a home for the elderly; greater child protection, and regular inspection of workplaces in the Upper Demerara, Berbice Region.

A review of the age limit for entry into many of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programmes to better cater for the deficit of skills in Region Ten has been requested.

Ministry officials who accompanied Minister Lawrence outlined the services available and how persons can access their Old Age Pension and older and Public Assistance.

Lawrence was also asked about the possibility to assisting pensioners with transportation costs, because at present, only those using the state-owned ferries get a waiver on cost.

She indicated that in due time all pensioners will receive the same benefit, as one of the things the Government did when it came into office is the create equality among the payment to pensioners.