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Gurkhas' terms 'to be improved' Better pensions for some Gurkhas
(about 2 hours later)
The Ministry of Defence is expected to announce improvements to the working terms and conditions of Gurkhas serving in the British army. The Ministry of Defence has announced improvements to the working terms and conditions of Gurkhas serving in the British army.
Defence Minister Derek Twigg looks set to say that the Nepalese troops are to receive full pensions. Defence Minister Derek Twigg said the Nepalese troops will now get the same pensions as British soldiers.
Currently, they get at least six times less than British soldiers and many say they are left destitute. Currently, they receive at least six times less and many former Gurkhas say they are left destitute.
Some pay and pension reform has taken place already, but Gurkas who left before July 1997 did not benefit. But the reforms will not apply to any who left service before July 1997, leaving campaigners disappointed.
Major Tikendradal Dewan, from the Brigade of Gurkhas Welfare Society, said the MoD justified the 1997 cut off on the grounds that before that date Nepalese soldiers were based in Hong Kong, not the UK.Major Tikendradal Dewan, from the Brigade of Gurkhas Welfare Society, said the MoD justified the 1997 cut off on the grounds that before that date Nepalese soldiers were based in Hong Kong, not the UK.
"But what they are ignoring is the fact that it was still Crown service and we were still paid by the taxpayers' money here," Maj Dewan said."But what they are ignoring is the fact that it was still Crown service and we were still paid by the taxpayers' money here," Maj Dewan said.
The government announced a review of Gurkhas' conditions two years ago.The government announced a review of Gurkhas' conditions two years ago.
There was one man who was a Falklands War veteran and a hero, and he left in 1986 with nothing Phil ShinerHuman rights lawyer Who are the Gurkhas?There was one man who was a Falklands War veteran and a hero, and he left in 1986 with nothing Phil ShinerHuman rights lawyer Who are the Gurkhas?
Their pensions, which currently stand at an average of £984 a year, have historically been awarded according to the standard of living in their homeland.Their pensions, which currently stand at an average of £984 a year, have historically been awarded according to the standard of living in their homeland.
But campaigners say the unequal arrangements have brought economic hardship to many former Gurkhas.But campaigners say the unequal arrangements have brought economic hardship to many former Gurkhas.
Human rights lawyer Phil Shiner said: "There was one man who was a Falklands War veteran and a hero, and he left in 1986 with nothing."Human rights lawyer Phil Shiner said: "There was one man who was a Falklands War veteran and a hero, and he left in 1986 with nothing."
'Justifiable differences?''Justifiable differences?'
The Gurkhas have marched to Downing Street calling for their pensions to be "proportionate" to those of their British colleagues, who receive more than £6,000 a year.The Gurkhas have marched to Downing Street calling for their pensions to be "proportionate" to those of their British colleagues, who receive more than £6,000 a year.
In January 2005, the then Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said there would be a review of pay, pensions and accommodation amid public criticism of disparities.In January 2005, the then Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said there would be a review of pay, pensions and accommodation amid public criticism of disparities.
He told MPs that the study would decide whether differences in Gurkhas' terms and conditions were "absolutely justifiable".He told MPs that the study would decide whether differences in Gurkhas' terms and conditions were "absolutely justifiable".
"We want to ensure that the MoD's position, both legally and morally, is beyond reproach," he said."We want to ensure that the MoD's position, both legally and morally, is beyond reproach," he said.
Mr Twigg's statement on Thursday comes a day after the launch of a trade union for Commonwealth soldiers serving in the Army. Mr Twigg's announcement comes a day after the launch of a trade union for Commonwealth soldiers serving in the Army.
It was formed amid complaints of widespread racism, unfair treatment and a lack of welfare support, all of which were denied by the MoD.It was formed amid complaints of widespread racism, unfair treatment and a lack of welfare support, all of which were denied by the MoD.
There are currently about 3,500 Gurkhas serving in the Army and close to 20,000 former soldiers living in Britain and Nepal. There are currently about 3,500 Gurkhas serving in the Army and close to 20,000 former soldiers living in Britain and Nepal.
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