Increases in minimum pensions as of this week

Elderly who are on minimum pension will start receiving increases as of this week, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced this morning.

Addressing a forum organised by the pensioners’ branch of the General Workers’ Union, Muscat said he was proud to be part of the government that was increasing pensions for the first time in 25 years.

He said, that his government brought about a change in direction in how pensions and matters related to the elderly are addressed.

Muscat insisted that the people were feeling the changes they had voted for in 2013, including in the way poverty was being addressed.

“Our economy is doing well and wealth is being created. Yet, there are still many people who are still suffering poverty, including the elderly,” he said.

The number of people receiving an extra €300 allowance is increasing every year. The decrease in water and electricity bills, he added, was one way of alleviating the cost of living burden.

Last year, Muscat said, 616 former dockyard workers received an increase in pensions amounting to a collective €1.6 million.