Charlene Stuart, Senior Staff Reporter

The President of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) wants the debate on reforming the public sector pension scheme to be a wider discussion on providing a comprehensive social protection scheme for all employees.

Kavan Gayle says this afternoon’s debate must be a meaningful and measurable discussion that looks at the issue of pension as a fundamental human right and investment.

Public sector pension reform is one of the key issues the country needs to undertake to secure a deal with the International Monetary Fund.

The Government has indicated that the reforms are critical since the current system is not sustainable and will put pressure on the pension pool.

The head of the Trade Union Education Institute of the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies, Danny Roberts says he agrees public servants should contribute to their pensions.

But he says the process of reform not result in diminished benefits.

The Minister of Finance is expected to begin the debate this afternoon in under two hours.

Like our new Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/gleanerjamaica

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/JamaicaGleaner

charlene.stuart@gleanerjm.com