GEORGE NEWS - Retired civil servants who applied for pension redress in terms of the government's past discriminatory practice (PDP) programme, can expect a lump sum payment by February or March next year.
The PDP programme is an attempt to make good for discriminatory practices in the apartheid era.
It was launched 10 years ago.
In a statement, the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), that manages the application process, says it has concluded an agreement in early November with the relevant unions on how compensation is to take place.
The council received 138 000 applications. People who are still in service could also apply. They will have their pensionable service years increased.
According to the PSCBC, a costing has been done which showed that there are not sufficient funds to compensate all qualifying applicants at a 100% compensation level. They will receive 68,4% of what they qualified for.
Responding to a query from a Georgian ex-teacher* who applied, the PSCBC said the process took time because it extended the close out of the agreement on various occasions over 10 years to ensure maximum opportunity for potential beneficiaries to apply.
Civil servants under the apartheid government received different levels of pay and pension benefits according to their racial classification.
Female teachers and other female employees in the public service also had to resign to give birth and upon return were admitted to the Temporary Employees Pension Fund.
* The teacher wants to remain anonymous.
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