It is unbelievable to think that nowadays in our islands pensioners who were born in 1961 or before have about €300 less every four weeks, compared to those who were born after 1962. Whenever a person buys something, the price for those born in 1962 or afterwards, and those who were born in 1961 and before, is the same … but not the spending power of the former pensioners. What fault do these pensioners have if they were born in 1961 or before. Lately, it is being said that this anomality is going to be reviewed. But when and how?

The reform, which was passed by the Nationalist government way back in 2006 or 2007, was enforced by the Labour party. Therefore both of them contributed to this injustice. Is the government going to address it in this budget or next year … and how long is he going to take to tackle it completely – two years? three? or more? These questions are being asked, because although several persons have raised their voices about this problem, very little has been said by the government. It appears that in our islands about 90,000 are subject to this injustice. Therefore, why prolong the amendments more. It is time that those who were born in 1961 or before, and have worked more than 35 years (as required by law), even to 40 years and more, are entitled to a fair pension, reaching those who were born in 1962 or after, in a couple of years.

I really am looking forward that in the next budget, the government hears, and justly tackles this issue, as urgently as possible. Moreover, nowadays many pensioners do not have the Treasury pension and with the ever-increasing inflation, are living badly in order to cope with the high cost of living.

Finally, pills which are not available for free, need to be purchased, irrelevant of their price. IT IS TIME THAT JUSTICE IS DONE!

 

Charles Bezzina

Victoria, Gozo