FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
One day after the approval of the budget in principle, the Economy and Finance Committee held a session where the Prime Minister's proposal for the creation of a special fund for pensions was debated. A proposal that faced strong criticism from the deputy of the Democratic Party, Jorida Tabaku, who described this scheme as an electoral and momentary movement, without a sustainable plan to address the real challenges of the pension scheme.
Tabaku raised concern about the cumulative increase in prices, stressing that "from 2013 until now, cumulative prices have increased by 55%, making Albania the country with the highest inflation in Europe." She noted that while prices are rising, the purchasing power of Albanians, especially pensioners, is among the lowest on the continent.
"Pensioners spend 50% of their income on basic foods and the rest on energy, water and medicines, which are often not reimbursable. This situation is pushing them towards extreme poverty", said Tabaku.
Making fun of the government's promises, Tabaku said: "The Prime Minister promised a 5% increase in pensions, but this did not happen. While he talks about artificial intelligence, pensioners face an increasingly serious consumption crisis."
Tabaku accused the government of being the main promoter of informality, stressing that the increase in the minimum wage has been a burden for employers and has not brought real improvements to the pension scheme. She also criticized the lack of a clear strategy in the fight against informality, stressing that current actions do not address the problem at its core.
Referring to data from Eurostat, Tabaku stated that Albanians today pay 20% more for basic basket products than ten years ago, while purchasing power has dropped significantly.
Tabaku called for the creation of a permanent fund for pensions, stressing that it should not be used as an electoral maneuver, but be a sustainable mechanism that addresses the country's demographic and economic challenges.
She emphasized that "instead of the funds being used for incinerators and corrupt projects, they should be redirected to ensure a more dignified life for pensioners".
The DP MP demanded that the concerns raised by the opposition be taken seriously, stressing that the current pension scheme needs radical changes and long-term policies, not just temporary measures for electoral purposes.
This heated debate in the Economy and Finance Commission comes at a time when the issue of pensions has become one of the most discussed topics, reflecting the deep concerns of citizens for a fair and stable system", said Tabaku.
Lini një Përgjigje