NEWS

Prime Minister Pahor meets with a core working group of ECOSOC: Pension reform is urgent and will assure higher pensions and intergenerational solidarity

Prime Minister Pahor convened this afternoon a core group of the Economic-Social Council, the main topic of the discussion being the pension reform proposed by the Government.

 

(Photo: Nebojša Tejić/SPA)

 

In his statement to the press following the meeting, Prime Minister Pahor emphasised that the reform is urgent and will assure higher pensions and intergenerational solidarity. “It brings peace of mind to all who are responsible for the public finance sustainability,” he added. This decision is not very popular; however, it has also been taken by other European countries, underlined the Prime Minister, being convinced that those, who hesitate in doing so, will pay a high price for their fear of taking unpopular measures.

 

Minister of Labour Svetlik said that the Government was willing to extend the calculation period of pensionable service from present 18 to 28 years rather than to the already proposed 34 years. With respect to the parenthood bonus, all children would be taken into account and not only three, as presently proposed, he said. “The limitation, however, is that this bonus should not cover women aged below 61 years and men aged below 63 years”, added the Minister. In transition to new conditions for the retirement of those who started to work early and will, according to the new scheme, retire sooner, gradual increase will be taken into account with respect to men with 43 years and women with 41 years of pensionable service. “We decided to extend the finale for the golden goal, until Friday noon (12:00). Until then, there is still time for proposals to be evaluated, and with the goodwill to reach a compromise, draft them as amendments," underlined the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labour.