The Government of Kosovo, in its meeting today, decided to increase the basic pensions (from 90 to 100 euros), disability pensions (from 75 to 100 euros), family pensions, as well as work-related disability pensions (from 90 to 100 euros). According to the Government, around 175,000 pensioners from the mentioned categories will benefit from this decision.
The Musine Kokalari Institute for Social Policies considers that any monetary increase for social categories is valuable and absolutely necessary. However, this decision does not properly address pensions nor does it tackle the needs related to the well-being of pensioners. From the Government’s decision, it is evident that:
- The current increases are not sufficiently explained, neither in terms of their immediate impact nor in the long-term goals of the Government of Kosovo regarding the country’s social needs.
- A partial approach to the layered and interconnected problems and deficiencies not only fails to resolve anything but also risks becoming an obstacle to the deep, transformative, and necessary reforms for our social system.
The government must initiate pension reform so that both its entirety and the specific regulatory approach aim to provide at least a minimum living standard for pensioner citizens of Kosovo. For this matter, public consultations should begin as soon as possible with all relevant categories, the media, and civil society, which for a long time has worked and advocated for a proper pension system.
Institute for Social Policies Musine Kokalari
Pristina, January 12, 2022