Skopje, 7 November 2023 (MIA) – Pensioners from across the country staged a protest Tuesday in Skopje which began in front of the Embassy of the United States and finished in front of the government building. Once again they reiterated their demands for a linear increase of pensions and other measures for the improvement of their living standard. 

The pensioners said they haven’t gotten any results or a response from the Government after three months of protests all over the country.

The President of the Pensioners’ Initiative Board, Dragan Ugrinovski, told MIA that their four basic demands are: a Mden 5.000 linear increase of pensions; minimum pension set at Mden 18.000; amendments to the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance which would allow women older than 62 and men older than 64 to receive free medical treatment.

“Our demands haven’t changed from the previous protest. Although then, the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Jovanka Trenchevska, said she would respond in seven days, she is yet to do so, 27 days later we still haven’t received a response,” stressed Ugrinovski.

Ugrinovski said the Board held meetings with representatives of the European Union during which they introduced them to the issues and demands of the pensioners.

He added that they have requested to meet with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, as well as with President Stevo Pendarovski, but are yet to receive a response.

If no solution is found, Ugrinovski said the pensioners could hold a hunger strike in front of the government building. 

Photo: MIA