FINANCE MINISTER Dr. Omar Davies yesterday announced a 50 per cent increase in Government pensions in the House of Representatives.

Persons with 10-19 years service will now get a minimum of $54,000 annually, which is just more than $1,000 per week, while those with more than 20 years service will get a minimum $72,000 annually, nearly $1,400 per week. The former rates were $36,000 per annum and $48,000 per annum, respectively.

Dr. Davies said an allocation of $200 million had been made available in the annual budget. This was used to increase the pensions by between $750 and $1,500 per month in respect of retirees and by $375 per month for widows/widowers and dependants.

Persons eligible for the increases are those on pension for at least 21/2 years at July 1, 1999; those who were 55 or older at July 1, 1999; those retired on the ground of ill-health regardless of their age on July 1, 1999; and, widows/widowers and dependants whose pension commenced before July 1, 1999.

Dr. Davies said since 1991, the Government has made improving the pensions of former public sector employees a priority.