While the pensioners seek pensions of at least 2,500 lei to be able to survive, representatives of the state say it is now impossible to satisfy this demand. The issue was discussed in the talk show “Moldova live” on the public TV channel Moldova 1, IPN reports.
Victor Leanca, who heads the Pensioners Union of Moldova, said the pensions must be increased to at least 2,500 lei. “The consecutive price rises and the rise in tariffs on energy resources represent a too heavy burden for the pensioners. The rulers must immediately find solutions. We will protest alongside the Platform “Dignity and Truth” until we obtain a rise in pensions,” he stated.
On the other hand, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Laura Grecu said it is now impossible to meet pensioners’ demands. “The pension system depends on the economic situation in the country, which is not the best. For this system to be viable, we must have at latest two tax payers per pensioner. In our country, the ratio is 1.3 to 1. In Austria, this ratio is 4 to 1,” she said.
Roman Chirca, director of the Market Economy Institute, also considers rising pensions is now unreal. “Without changes in the pension collection and distribution system, a rise is impossible. The Soviet model of the pension system was kept, which was even worsened in time. None of our governments so far showed care for the pensioners. Now we have a gap of €3 billion in the budget. If we do not reform the system, the pensions will not be raised,” he stated.