I refer to the comments by Simon Busuttil (Reduced Pension Entitlements, January 12). It has to be pointed out again that a non-contributory occupational/service pension, whether it is paid by the UK civil service, the Maltese civil service or from any other source, is earned by a person as part of an agreement entered into between the employee and the employer.

In the case of the person mentioned by Dr Busuttil, the pension is paid by the UK civil service and therefore should be dealt with in the European Union legal framework.

It has now emerged that although the European law on Social Security Coordination may not apply in this particular case, yet there is still the principle of freedom of movement under article 39 of the Treaty to be considered.

In fact the Commission is now dealing about an infringement procedure against Malta on this point.

Of particular interest are the comments raised by Dr Busuttil in the penultimate paragraph, namely, that those “who have not exercised their freedom of movement may not necessarily be able to rely on the principle of freedom of movement”.

This implies that persons who gave a service to any employer in Malta including the civil service, and earned an occupational/service pension as per conditions mentioned above may not be covered and so their occupational/service pension will continue to be abated from the Two Thirds Pension entitlement.

In these unpleasant circumstances which may lead further to gross discrimination between Maltese pensioners, may I appeal to Dr Busuttil and to all our parliamentary representatives to take a common stand on this particular issue and solve the 30-year-old problem before the end of the current legislature.

It is true that one can wait until the case is concluded yet it is equally true that it may result that the decision in terms of article 39 of the Treaty can please some and be unpleasant to others.

In the present scenario let common sense prevail. Perhaps one can compromise with his social conscience but in the name of social justice there is no need to wait for the European Union to solve our problems. We are capable and mature enough to take an appropriate action and give equal treatment to all our pensioners.