Pensioners ask for law to reintroduce linear pension increases

Pensioners' associations met with Minister of Labour, Social Policy, Demography and Youth Gjoko Velkovski and urged that pension increases be reintroduced as a linear, statutory measure rather than under the current legal arrangement.

The representatives argued that a legally guaranteed linear increase would narrow the gap between pensioners that today stems from differences in education, length of service and earnings during working life.

From the Initiative Board for linear pension increases, the delegates requested that "the percentage be set in accordance with the cost of living, and the amount be distributed evenly."

Local initiative boards represented

At the meeting, members of several local initiative boards took part. Kiril Josifovski represented the Initiative Board for Ohrid and Debrca, while Trajcho Mitev attended as chairman of the Initiative Board in Shtip.

No legislative text was presented at the session; the groups said they want the principle of linear adjustment written into law so future changes cannot be left to ad hoc decisions. The sides agreed to continue consultations on the proposal.

Photo: press material from the event