Elderly want $1,000 per month assistance

Older persons in Fiji who are not under any sort of pension are requesting for at least $,1000 per month of assistance from relevant authorities.

A report of Age Demands Action 2012 done by Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) shows that majority of the elderly in Fiji are facing hardships in terms of finance and health.

Executive Director of FCOSS Hassan Khan said according to their report, around 6 percent of people who are over 55 years of age and are living in rural areas are not under any sort of pension and they are the ones requesting the government for at least a $1,000 assistance per month.

Also those who are receiving some sort of pension are requesting for at least $500 as social pension monthly.

Khan said many have called for total exemption of VAT and all forms of taxation on the income of seniors.

He said they hope matters surrounding the older generation in Fiji will be looked upon.


Story by: Kushboo Singh