MEP Roberta Metsola has come out in defence of Maltese pensioners, saying that they deserve answers. “Service pensioners in Malta have been handed a raw deal. Maltese and Gozitan pensioners do not want charity, they are simply asking for what is fair.”

The MEP has officially written to the European Commission asking about its efforts to provide a solution to the Maltese and Gozitan pensioners entitled to a service pension.

Roberta Metsola pointed out that “thousands of Maltese nationals were employed with the British Services in Malta up until 1979 and have been deprived of drawing their full old-age pensions for years.”

MEP Metsola’s letter to the European Commission follows a series of high-level meetings she has held with senior officials about this case and a number of petitions to the European Parliament where, as Vice-President of the Petitions Committee, MEP Metsola plays a key role.

Metsola asked the European Commission about its attempts to resolve the persistent uncertainty and injustice for former employees of the British Services in Malta.

“This is a question of social justice and social dignity,” said MEP Metsola. “Guaranteeing social security to workers goes hand in hand with guaranteeing the four freedoms of the European Union. It is an area where the EU can make a tangible difference to people’s lives and we have a duty to see this through. Time is of the essence.”

This case appeared before the Court of Justice of the European Union in 2014 when the European Commission took the Government to Court over its failure to coordinate this pension scheme with the UK. The Court’s conclusions led to an effective stalemate for the pensioners affected.

MEP Metsola said that, “in situations such as these, when people’s lives are being directly affected, the European Commission can use its powers more effectively in disputes between Member States. This situation has dragged on for years and it is time we settled it.”

Roberta Metsola concluded by saying “it is not too much to ask for pensioners to be treated fairly. We are talking about the right to an adequate and fair pension that reflects years of hard work. Properly functioning pension systems are an important safety net especially in the context of soaring costs of living and rising rents in Malta and Gozo. The status quo is not good enough.”

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