14th Congress of CCOO pensioners

From 6 to 8 May, the 14th Congress of CCOO pensioners was held in La Lastrilla (Segovia) with the participation of Agostino Siciliano and Jessica Montiel for Ferpa.

Siciliano began his speech by thanking for the invitation to the Congress and pointing out that the profound demographic changes taking place, the lengthening of the average life span and the aging of the population must be addressed with new policies and there is no need for further cuts in welfare, but a change of perspective and investments.

“Older people -declared Siciliano- are a fundamental resource for society and the extension of life span cannot be considered only a cost but a source of wealth.

In recent years, as Ferpa, we have done continuous work, both proactive and pressured on the ETUC, in order to give our Manifesto a wider concreteness through the recognition by the ETUC of our demands.

The various resolutions that have been approved in recent years by the Executive of the ETUC report our requests.

They clearly state that we need a fair and inclusive pension policy in the European Union, that the purchasing power of pensioners must be protected and that pensions must be indexed to inflation and the increase in the cost of living, that a minimum pension above the poverty line must be envisaged, for a reform of economic governance,  that does not force Member States to cut their pension and health systems, for a strong public welfare, for greater social protection and for the right to adequate housing for all generations,

These approved resolutions are certainly steps forward that help us to give more strength and visibility to FERPA and its demands.

Now we have to take another step forward on FERPA’s voting rights in ETUC bodies.

The ETUC’s “Committee on Statutory Changes” has approved and agreed on a proposal that we consider positive in order to eliminate this limiting discrimination regarding FERPA s voting rights.

With the help of your Confederation, we hope that this proposal will be adopted next week in Belgrade.

Happy Congress, dear comrades of the CCOO, pensioners, and long live Ferpa.”