Prime Minister, David Thompson, addressing the audience at the BDF’S 30th anniversary parade.??

Prime Minister David Thompson has acknowledged that the wait by members of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) for the payment of their monthly pensions has been a long one.

He made this admission last Saturday, while delivering the feature address at the Force’s 30th anniversary parade at its St. Ann’s Fort Headquarters, The Garrison.

Mr. Thompson explained that the relevant regulations had to be amended, and revealed that they were now with the Chief Parliamentary Counsel who had been requested "to deal with this matter expeditiously." He further noted that when completed, the regulations would be laid in Parliament.

However, the Prime Minister cautioned the soldiers that the cost of meeting the payments was substantial, "coming at a time when our economy is facing challenges not of our making."

He said that given its 30 years of service, the BDF was thoroughly deserving of every benefit that the State could afford, adding that he was pleased that the majority of terminal grants had been disbursed, with payments having gone smoothly.

gapplewhaite@barbados.gov.bb

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