I refer to the comments of Claudia Cuschieri, communications coordinator at the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, about an editorial in the Times of Malta titled ‘Pension Reform short of Expectations’.

The ministry’s official confirmed that the four proposals put forward by the Alliance of Pensioners’ Organisations for the budget, namely the introduction of the national minimum pension, the indexation of pensions, the maximum pensionable income and the service pension issue have all been shelved.

In reality, for current pensioners this means that the minimum pension will come into effect in 2027. The yearly reassessment of pensions continues to be carried out in COLA and collective agreements. The formula regarding 70 per cent on wages and 30 per cent on inflation rate has not been considered. The decision of having two MPIs, one for persons born on December 31, 1961 and before, and the other for persons born on January 1, 1962 and after, is to stand.

As regards the minimum pension, the reassessment of pension (indexation) and the MPI, the proposals were all put forward in order to tackle the problem leading to risk of poverty and social exclusion. Pensioners have a right to live in dignity after their retirement.

As regards the service pensions, Cuschieri stated that in 1979 the “Labour Government ensured that those on a service pension would continue to retain the same rights they enjoyed under the old regime”.

This is completely incorrect. History proves that the opposite happened. Service pension rights were unjustly abused. These comments are not only arrogant but have the shade of the undemocratic methods applied in 1979.

It appears that she is not aware of the fact that the European Commission has issued an infringement case against the government over service pensions. At least she should wait for the European Court of Justice’s decision before jumping to conclusions.

In the light of the above reality, the alliance appeals to the thousands of pensioners to look after their interest before it is too late. Pensioners are now aware of the facts and realities. Ultimately is it up to them to decide.