Skopje, 14 August 2023 (MIA) — Pensioners from all across the country gathered Monday in front of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy to protest and demand their pensions be increased by Mden 3,500 each; that the minimum pension be increased to Mden 18,000; and that the Associations of Pensioners Union be immediately disbanded for not representing their interests.

Complaining about the lack of advocacy from the Association of Pensioners Union, protesters demanded that their membership fees of Mden 30 per month and Mden 150 for funeral arrangements, instead of being paid to the union, to be paid toward the pension fund and disability insurance fund.

They also demanded higher caregiver compensation; increased social assistance for people who lost their jobs until they become eligible to receive a pension; introducing changes to the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance; and that the minimum pension be raised to equal minimum wage.

In addition, they also requested that their medical coverage be expanded to include drugs for heart diseases, diabetes and rare diseases.

The pensioners' protest started in front of the Associations of Pensioners Union headquarters with protesters demanding its president resign. They then marched to the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy to demand a meeting with Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska.

In response to the protest, a delegation of pensioners was invited to a meeting at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.

Until now, pensioners had been protesting in their own cities to express dissatisfaction with the percentual increase in pensions. Last year, the state adopted a new methodology for calculating pensions, which foresees six-percent higher September retirement checks.

According to protesters, North Macedonia has 336,000 pensioners, each of whom needs Mden 42,000 per year for a linear increase in pensions. ssh/mr