A REQUEST has been made for senior citizens not covered by any pension scheme to be given $1000 a month from the authorities.
Lorine Tevi of the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS), while presenting the world report on the Age Demands Action 2012 to President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau earlier this week, said the authorities must look at the needs of the elderly. She said old people continued to contribute positively to society therefore their safety and welfare was important.
"Therefore, if we can have relevant authorities provide at least $1000 per month while those who are receiving pensions to be given $500 a month," Ms Tevi said.
The report says the number of older people living in residential care was the legacy of an era when this was seen as the answer to the problems of the elderly.
According to the report, about 6 per cent of people over 55 years of age live in rural areas and are not covered by any sort of pension.
These are those requesting government for at least $1000 in assistance per month. Hassan Khan, FCOSS executive director, said those who received some sort of pension requested at least $500 as a monthly social pension.
He said many old people had called for a total exemption from VAT and all forms of taxation on their income.