Yesterday, the collegium of the Government of the Federation of BiH held a session where amendments to the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance, which was previously prepared by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the FBiH, were discussed.
In practice, these changes would mean an increase in pensions, as well as the way they are calculated, which was the subject of criticism in previous years. Amendments to the Law on PIO provide for a new formula for adjusting pensions, which combines salary growth and the consumer price index in a ratio of 60:40 in favor of a more favorable factor. The new law would introduce annual and two regular adjustments of pensions.
Lack of time
The Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nermin Nikšić, told “Avaz” that they had detailed discussions at yesterday’s collegium, that harmonization is ongoing, and today they continue with discussions on this topic. If the collegium reaches agreement, the law will go to the FBiH Government session, and then to further parliamentary procedure in both houses of the FBiH Parliament.
Although the time for amendments to the Law on PIO is running out, the Federation of Pensioners’ Associations of FBiH is convinced that the Government cannot and will not allow the luxury of failing 464,203 pensioners. That point of view was expressed at yesterday’s Collegium of the Alliance, held in Sarajevo.
Both alliances
– We believe that there is enough time for what was agreed on September 16 between the representatives of both federations and the Collegium of the FBiH Government to be respected. The fact is that we said that amendments to the Law on PIO must be adopted by December 20, because the holidays are coming, however, we will not be bound by dates, because we were promised that the implementation of the new law will begin on January 1 – Haso Halilović, deputy president of the Association, told “Dnevni avaz”.
He expressed the hope that, according to all indicators so far, pensioners will receive increased income on February 5.
Regular reconciliation
According to the current parameters and with the new formula, the regular January adjustment will amount to about 11 percent. In that case, the minimum pension paid in February would be increased from the current 599.26 KM to the amount of 665.18 KM. Then, according to the expected amendments to the law, another regular adjustment would follow, according to which pensions would be increased by between six and seven percent, he writes. Avaz.
– On December 22, we will have a meeting of the Board of Directors, and by then, we believe, the situation will be completely clear – says Halilović
