Financial Services, Legislation, Lithuania, Pensioners, Society, Strike

Chairman of the LPP Vytautas Jurgis Kadzys managed to summon around 100 elderly people some of whom came to Vilnius from other towns. Members of Parliament Loreta Grauziniene and Mecislovas Zasciurinskas addressed the crowd that was demanding to increase pensions, they MPs said this would be done based on financial capabilities.

As reported, Parliament made a decision to increase the basic pension by LTL 16-17 (EUR 4.6-4.9) starting 1 July 2015, whereas pay-outs reduced during the crisis will be compensated partially.

According to Speaker of the Seimas Loreta Grauziniene, the State Social Insurance Fund (SoDra) has the money, the amounts to be paid to every person have been calculated and included in the database. Payment will begin in October-December. The speaker told the protesters that Parliament has done everything it can to pay compensations in 2014-2015. She added that the Government should be blamed for small compensation amounts for it is the one that allocates money.

Grauziniene also assured that politicians are not against increasing pensions but have to take into account the general situation.