Here is the appeal to UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon. UN Authorities are requested to bring this to the attention of Mr Ban Ki-Moon (and/or learned deputies), failure to do so would be seen as denial of human rights (enshrined in the UN declaration!):
Title:
Appeal for the restoration/restitution of full pension for those (mostly, third world) retirees who had recd 1/3 lump sum + reduced pension, after the completion of the the commuted period or annuity period.
This denial of restoration of full pension continues (uncontested mainly due to ignorance of western ways of third world retiree staff) for more than two generational times. In the North American politically-correct parlance, this maybe termed as "administrative wizardry" (saving for UNJSPF by starving the poor third worlders!) but in terms of Dharma and truth, this is a simple and straight forward "cheating/stealing in broad day light" and goes against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Preamble:
Praying that the UN (and its ancillary bodies) establish themselves as true models of good governance, as one of the "Millennium Development Goals" and lead from the front the rest of the world toward good transparent and accountable governments for their citizens.
Within this "grand" goal. UNJSPF should first set its working methods and general conduct right by restoring equity among all pensioners and ensuring full pension for those who had earlier been "allured" into 1/3 Lump-Sum + reduced pension, after completing the period of annuity/commutation on the basis of which the original 1/3 lump was calculated.
To the extent we can read/understand the English language, there is NO mention anywhere either in UNJSPF rules and forms (E.7 et al) signed by participants/retirees to state that the 1/3 Lump-Sum seekers (mostly from Asian/African countries) will be denied full pension for life-time. Even assuming the l/3 lump sum as a "loan" to the retirees, non-- disclosures such as the one above (viz. life-time denial of restored pension) would amount to "untruth in lending" - an offence in the American sense!
Historical & socio-cultural background:
Until not very long ago, working within and for the UN was seen as a privilege even for the educated people of the third world; for a long time they used to believe in the western principles of justice and equality, and continued their loyalty to the organisations they worked in, despite some of western guys managing the UN outfits even today look with a somewhat condescending attitude toward third world employees.
In an environment of no-government (or even general systems support, like bank loans, easy mortgage, etc.) support to any real public/social welfare needs of the people, there was no surprise that retiring staff from these countries get "allured" to the 1/3 lump sum + reduced pension option without a second thought because such a large sum would help to meeting family/cultural commitments (e.g. marrying daughters, building/completing a dwelling place, fear of serious illness/dealth before fulfilling family commitments, etc), and blindly sign the UNJSPF papers. What they did not realise was that UNJSPF was planning a deceitful denial of any restoration of full pension entitlement even after the commuting period and fully returning the "loan" or 1/3 lump-sum over the years.
It is an elementary arithmetical calculation to see that savings accrued to the UNJSPF by not paying 1/3 pension or paying only a reduced pension to the lump-sum receipients would have been much greater within (plus or minus) 10 years, depending on a minimum interest on investment.
Look at the UNJSPF's rules/practices for violation of natural justice: UNJSPF have rules to collect interest on any delayed dues from the participants; but they themselves are immune from paying any interest for its own intentional or unintentional default or otherwise, e.g. denial to restore full pension for so many, for many years after commuting period, and probably some of whom already passed away from this planet!
UNJSPF encouraged the assembly of pensioners associations, advisory bodies, et al, of which most are spineless/toothless characters whose key aim is attending meeting around the world, boasting ego for sometime, with little or no concern about real problems/issues of the clients/members of their own Assn. So much so, UNJSPF could easily organise its own lobbying and support groups (real old Washington D.C. style, that Obama is fighting hard to break) who can act as "parrots" repeating what the socalled Pension Board wants to hear!
UNJSPF has no real accountability (much less answerability) to its participants/beneficiaries, forgetting its basic edifice was built on the contributions made by these people and their employers in the first place.
UNJSPF's motto to respond to participant/beneficiary: "apply, apply, and no reply" because they are over-busy (attending to what?!).
UNJSPF accountability to the UN General Assembly is something beyond belief: UNJSPF's agenda items come before Christmas holidays in the GA (hopefully there is quorum) when people are planning to leave for holidays and their capitals to be with their families, etc. Unless there is a real (Wall-Street like) financial tsunami or murder, nobody gives much attention on those bulky reports, in many languages (most consigned to dustbins; waste of paper and trees).
Restoration of full pension after commutation period is norm in many countries, India, Australia, etc. Indian Judicial Courts have always been prompt in restoring this benefit even in the few instances of failures. (Proof is available aplenty in internet web sites). Seeking redressal thru court of justice may achieve the goal, but leaves much unwanted bad taste and sour relationship later on.
Final Appeal:
As an example of "good governance" model within UN system (during this sacred Millennium Decade goals achievement poriod), please ensure that all retirees are treated equally in regard to pension entitlements; not to deny the restoration of full pension even after recovering the 1/3 lump sum during annuity period.
General:
This appeal is made on behalf of lump-sum recipient/retirees in India and based on what we believe true and correct. If you want this appeal from each of the retirees, it is not difficult to organise, but we will be clogging your email space and polluting cyberspace, not contributing to climate change. Sending the appeal individually in paper would amount to cutting so many trees and again leaving needless carbon foot-prints, going against climate management protocols. Such actions will be in contravention of Buddhist/Vedic Dharma and total disrespect to "Nature". Please let me have your choice!
Yours sincerely,
V.Muthuswami/Chennai, South India
On his behalf and on behalf of fellow UN retirees in India
(Camp: Escondido, CA,USA)
Here is the appeal to UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon. UN Authorities are requested to bring this to the attention of Mr Ban Ki-Moon (and/or learned deputies), failure to do so would be seen as denial of human rights (enshrined in the UN declaration!):
Title:
Appeal for the restoration/restitution of full pension for those (mostly, third world) retirees who had recd 1/3 lump sum + reduced pension, after the completion of the the commuted period or annuity period.
This denial of restoration of full pension continues (uncontested mainly due to ignorance of western ways of third world retiree staff) for more than two generational times. In the North American politically-correct parlance, this maybe termed as "administrative wizardry" (saving for UNJSPF by starving the poor third worlders!) but in terms of Dharma and truth, this is a simple and straight forward "cheating/stealing in broad day light" and goes against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Preamble:
Praying that the UN (and its ancillary bodies) establish themselves as true models of good governance, as one of the "Millennium Development Goals" and lead from the front the rest of the world toward good transparent and accountable governments for their citizens.
Within this "grand" goal. UNJSPF should first set its working methods and general conduct right by restoring equity among all pensioners and ensuring full pension for those who had earlier been "allured" into 1/3 Lump-Sum + reduced pension, after completing the period of annuity/commutation on the basis of which the original 1/3 lump was calculated.
To the extent we can read/understand the English language, there is NO mention anywhere either in UNJSPF rules and forms (E.7 et al) signed by participants/retirees to state that the 1/3 Lump-Sum seekers (mostly from Asian/African countries) will be denied full pension for life-time. Even assuming the l/3 lump sum as a "loan" to the retirees, non-- disclosures such as the one above (viz. life-time denial of restored pension) would amount to "untruth in lending" - an offence in the American sense!
Historical & socio-cultural background:
Until not very long ago, working within and for the UN was seen as a privilege even for the educated people of the third world; for a long time they used to believe in the western principles of justice and equality, and continued their loyalty to the organisations they worked in, despite some of western guys managing the UN outfits even today look with a somewhat condescending attitude toward third world employees.
In an environment of no-government (or even general systems support, like bank loans, easy mortgage, etc.) support to any real public/social welfare needs of the people, there was no surprise that retiring staff from these countries get "allured" to the 1/3 lump sum + reduced pension option without a second thought because such a large sum would help to meeting family/cultural commitments (e.g. marrying daughters, building/completing a dwelling place, fear of serious illness/dealth before fulfilling family commitments, etc), and blindly sign the UNJSPF papers. What they did not realise was that UNJSPF was planning a deceitful denial of any restoration of full pension entitlement even after the commuting period and fully returning the "loan" or 1/3 lump-sum over the years.
It is an elementary arithmetical calculation to see that savings accrued to the UNJSPF by not paying 1/3 pension or paying only a reduced pension to the lump-sum receipients would have been much greater within (plus or minus) 10 years, depending on a minimum interest on investment.
Look at the UNJSPF's rules/practices for violation of natural justice: UNJSPF have rules to collect interest on any delayed dues from the participants; but they themselves are immune from paying any interest for its own intentional or unintentional default or otherwise, e.g. denial to restore full pension for so many, for many years after commuting period, and probably some of whom already passed away from this planet!
UNJSPF encouraged the assembly of pensioners associations, advisory bodies, et al, of which most are spineless/toothless characters whose key aim is attending meeting around the world, boasting ego for sometime, with little or no concern about real problems/issues of the clients/members of their own Assn. So much so, UNJSPF could easily organise its own lobbying and support groups (real old Washington D.C. style, that Obama is fighting hard to break) who can act as "parrots" repeating what the socalled Pension Board wants to hear!
UNJSPF has no real accountability (much less answerability) to its participants/beneficiaries, forgetting its basic edifice was built on the contributions made by these people and their employers in the first place.
UNJSPF's motto to respond to participant/beneficiary: "apply, apply, and no reply" because they are over-busy (attending to what?!).
UNJSPF accountability to the UN General Assembly is something beyond belief: UNJSPF's agenda items come before Christmas holidays in the GA (hopefully there is quorum) when people are planning to leave for holidays and their capitals to be with their families, etc. Unless there is a real (Wall-Street like) financial tsunami or murder, nobody gives much attention on those bulky reports, in many languages (most consigned to dustbins; waste of paper and trees).
Restoration of full pension after commutation period is norm in many countries, India, Australia, etc. Indian Judicial Courts have always been prompt in restoring this benefit even in the few instances of failures. (Proof is available aplenty in internet web sites). Seeking redressal thru court of justice may achieve the goal, but leaves much unwanted bad taste and sour relationship later on.
Final Appeal:
As an example of "good governance" model within UN system (during this sacred Millennium Decade goals achievement poriod), please ensure that all retirees are treated equally in regard to pension entitlements; not to deny the restoration of full pension even after recovering the 1/3 lump sum during annuity period.
General:
This appeal is made on behalf of lump-sum recipient/retirees in India and based on what we believe true and correct. If you want this appeal from each of the retirees, it is not difficult to organise, but we will be clogging your email space and polluting cyberspace, not contributing to climate change. Sending the appeal individually in paper would amount to cutting so many trees and again leaving needless carbon foot-prints, going against climate management protocols. Such actions will be in contravention of Buddhist/Vedic Dharma and total disrespect to "Nature". Please let me have your choice!
Yours sincerely,
V.Muthuswami/Chennai, South India
On his behalf and on behalf of fellow UN retirees in India
(Camp: Escondido, CA,USA)
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