Raising minimum pensions based on careers: both men and women will benefit from the measure

I              Trade unions rally against raising the minimum pensions

The trade unions have announced joint action tomorrow in front of the Office of the Minister for Pensions. In a press release they denounce the discrimination against women and pensioners insofar as the allocation of the EUR 25 million envelope is concerned that was decided during the last budget talks.

The Minister for Pensions, Daniel BACQUELAINE, confirms that the minimum pensions will be raised according to the stipulations in the coalition agreement.

On 25th January last he presented to the Management Committee of the National Pensions Office (NPO) a draft bill aimed at raising the minimum pensions by 1%. This benefit will be allocated to pensioners who receive a minimum pension and can prove a full career (45 years) showing a minimum number of days actually worked during said career. This measure is in line with the government’s intention to raise both the minimum pensions and the pension amount. The Management Committee of the National Pensions Office has rendered a non-unanimous advice on this proposal.

Daniel BACQUELAINE is surprised at the trade unions’ attitude which is essentially centred on rallying against raising the amounts of the minimum pensions.

II             A measure both men and women will benefit from

The Minister for Pensions rejects the statements according to which the proposed measures would discriminate against women. Contrary to the statements made by the trade union representatives  both men (15%) and women (11%) will benefit from this raise. Insofar as the pension scheme for employees is concerned, an increased number of women (69%) compared to men (31%) will be able to enjoy this benefit.

Nonetheless, the Minister for Pensions notices a large discrepancy between the sexes insofar as opening the right to a minimum pension is concerned. In fact, the 30 career year condition will result in 45% of women being deprived of the right to a minimum pension compared to only 6% of men.

Daniel BACQUELAINE : « I deplore these statements which once again are biased. We intend to raise the minimum pensions of employees having a full career. This measure harms no-one; in the end it will constitute a new ‘pension bonus’ for men and women who had a substantially long career but now only receive a small pension ».