Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party recently met a delegation of the Government’s Pensions Working Group in a consultation meeting.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said, ‘The meeting was very positive and AD agreed with much of the arguments raised by David Spiteri Gingell from the Pensions Working Group. AD also raised various points, wherein, as a Green Party, we believe in a socially just and economically sustainable pensions system which matches rights with responsibilities and which takes long-term interests into consideration.”

“Keeping the pensions system as it is is not an option, as this will ultimately lead to financial collapse and to poorer pensioners. We therefore agree that in addition to the compulsory first pillar, a second pillar should be introduced wherein Government ensures that people save an extra amount of money which will be used solely for pension purposes, and will not be used by the Government for other reasons. We believe that the second pillar should however be introduced in a responsible manner, thus avoiding shocks in people’s quality of life.”

“AD expressed its opposition to the current policy wherein someone would have to have worked for at least 40 years to be guaranteed a full pension. In today’s society, work has become more flexible and precarious and many people tend to enter and exit the labour market, as well as change jobs, for various reasons, some out of choice and others due to constraints over which they have no say. Hence, irrespective of the number of years worked, one should be guaranteed the right to a decent pension. In particular, low and middle income earners should be guaranteed a decent quality of life in their later years.”

“It is evident that the size of Malta’s labour force should increase in order to guarantee sustainable pensions. In particular, Malta’s low participation rates of females, ageing workers and immigrants is of concern. Malta’s social policy should be reformed accordingly. For example it should encourage increased participation of females by having more family-friendly social polices. Increased involvement of men in caring roles is also of utmost importance’.

‘AD also believes that people who would like to keep on working after reaching pensionable age should have the right to do so whilst keeping their pension. Yet such a system should be voluntary and should not result in forced labour after pensionable age.”

Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer, AD spokesperson, added, “Education plays an important role in the pensions issue. In particular the younger generations should be made more aware of future needs and long-term issues which will effect them in their later years. This is of particular importance especially when we are living in a here-and-now consumeristic societ.”

“Malta’s pensions policy should not be based on one family model, but to the contrary should be inclusive of different types of families including marriage, cohabitation, single-parents, same-sex couples and single persons.”

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