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Better pensions for some Gurkhas Better pensions for some Gurkhas
(about 1 hour later)
The Ministry of Defence has announced improvements to the working terms and conditions of Gurkhas serving in the British army. Gurkhas serving in the Army will now get the same pensions as British soldiers, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
Defence Minister Derek Twigg said the Nepalese troops will now get the same pensions as British soldiers.
Currently, they receive at least six times less and many former Gurkhas say they are left destitute.Currently, they receive at least six times less and many former Gurkhas say they are left destitute.
But the reforms will not apply to any who left service before July 1997, leaving campaigners disappointed. But the reforms will not apply to Nepalese soldiers who retired before July 1997, leaving many 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. Defence Minister Derek Twigg also revealed that women could soon serve in the Gurkhas for the first time.
"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. And all Gurkhas will get the same leave entitlements - 30 days a year - as the rest of the Army.
The government announced a review of Gurkhas' conditions two years ago. 'Right thing'
Mr Twigg told the Commons the reforms were "the right thing to do".
"The improved terms and conditions of service will form the basis for continued Gurkha service in the British Army, which is made possible by the long standing and friendly relations between the governments and peoples of the United Kingdom and Nepal," he said.
But the announcement will not satisfy campaigners who marched on Downing Street demanding equal pensions for all former Gurkhas, not just those who left after 1997.
Major Tikendradal Dewan, from the Brigade of Gurkhas Welfare Society, said the MoD justified the cut off on the grounds that before that date Nepalese soldiers were based in Hong Kong, not the UK.
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. "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 campaigners say the unequal arrangements have brought economic hardship to many former Gurkhas. Those who left before July 1997 will still receive on average just £984 a year and some say this leaves them struggling to make ends meet.
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, who campaigns on their behalf, said: "There was one man who was a Falklands War veteran and a hero, and he left in 1986 with nothing."
'Justifiable differences?' 'Major contribution'
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. Other changes include giving Gurkhas the right to transfer to different units in the Army after five years of service and improving welfare services for their families.
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. The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, praised the Nepalese troops on what he called a "historic day".
He told MPs that the study would decide whether differences in Gurkhas' terms and conditions were "absolutely justifiable". "Their contribution to operations around the world has been and will continue to be a major contribution to Britain's defence commitments," he said.
"We want to ensure that the MoD's position, both legally and morally, is beyond reproach," he said. Mr Twigg's announcement comes a day after the launch of a 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.
Are you a Gurkha serving in the British Army? Send us your experiences using the form below.		There are currently about 3,500 Gurkhas serving in the Army and close to 20,000 former soldiers living in Britain and Nepal.
Are you a Gurkha serving in the British Army? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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