Members of the Alliance and the Pensioners' Party demand from the Government and Parliament that the September increase in the minimum pension be at least 10 percent, and announce that they will organize protests throughout Montenegro if this demand is not met.
They are asking the executive and legislative branches to ensure "a dignified life for the pensioners who built this country."
"They deserve to live in old age without fear of bills, medicines and a hungry refrigerator. We want a just society. We want dignity, not humiliation. In France, the average pension is two percent higher than the average salary, while in the US it is 16 percent in favor of employees. In Denmark, the average pension is 74 percent of the average salary. In our country, that ratio is 1.014:537, with average salaries almost twice as high as average pensions," the statement said.
They said that the September pension increase is the last chance for the government to show social responsibility towards the oldest population.
"We believe that the increase must be significantly above the previous symbolic corrections, because it is no longer about 'harmonization', but about the need for mere survival. We want pensions for life, not for shame. We want a dignified life," they add.
They also stated the reasons why they believe their request is justified.
Among other things, they point to the rise in the cost of living.
"Inflation in our country is 4,7 percent and in the EU it is 2,2 percent. The prices of basic foodstuffs and medicines, utilities and rent have increased significantly, even by double digits in the last year. According to Monstat, it exceeds seven percent per year - while food, medicines, and over 15 percent."
They also say that pensions are "drastically lagging" behind wage growth.
"The minimum wage is 600 and 800 euros (for secondary and higher education), and the average net salary is over 1.014, while the average pension is 537 euros. Pensions are drastically lagging behind wage growth, thus directly undermining intergenerational solidarity and the state constitution that guarantees social justice."
They also said that, in addition to expensive food, pensioners pay for "expensive medications and therapies that are often not covered by the fund." "Over 67.000 pensioners live on a minimum pension, many live below the poverty line. A minimum existence is no longer possible without state support."
The state, they add, also has a moral obligation.
"Pensioners are the generation that built institutions, roads, schools, hospitals. It is unacceptable that they fight for basic rights in their later years - food, heating, health. If there is a need for more than 5.100 official cars, there must also be a need for bread. If there is a need for variables, for lump sums, representation, telephone bills, separate lives, expensive per diems and travel, salaries even after the end of office, high salaries, and bad accusations and verdicts, there must also be a need for pensioners."
They say that pensioners can't wait any longer.
"They die while waiting. In two months, 1.186 pensioners have died, due to poverty and inadequate treatment. We demand that the representatives of Montenegrin pensioners on the Board of Directors of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund fight to ensure that the September increase in the lowest pension of 450 euros is at least 10 percent. That would be fair and socially responsible."
They sent a "warning to the Government and competent institutions."
"If the Government and the Parliament do not meet our minimum demands - to increase the lowest pensions by at least 10 percent, with the aim of raising pensions to a minimum of 500 euros - which is the minimum of dignity, we will be forced to organize protests throughout Montenegro."
They also demand urgent work on a new law on pension and disability insurance, in order to "correct injustices and discrimination."
"This will not be a political, but a social and moral rebellion and protest of people who have nothing left to lose, except for the little bit of ruined life. With banners, sticks and pills in our pockets, we will come out in front of the Government, the Parliament and in front of the institutions that have forgotten us. There are enough of us to be able to fight for a dignified life," they said.
It would be good, they said, for government representatives to talk to representatives of the Party and the Pensioners' Union before pensioners are forced to take to the streets.
"With this, we want to tell you that we support the efforts of the Government of Montenegro, but at the same time to remind you that you have forgotten about pensioners. We want pensions for life, not survival. We want a dignified life, not torture. We want a smile on our faces and a dignified old age. We are not written off yet. Enough is enough," reads the statement signed by members of the Party and the Pensioners' Union: Žana Lakićević, Ruža Gojković, Radisav Korać, Brano Milošević, Nada Golović, Zora Đuranović, Slavica Vuksanović, Nada Ostojić, Ljubica Živković, Miro Jovanović, Miško Bulatović, Drago Vlahović, Mićo Vukčević, Rosa Bulatović, Zora Popović, Mila Jovanović and behind which, as they say, stand "thousands of dissatisfied people".
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