Pensioners to stage protests in May

RIGA - If pensions are not indexed, pensioners will stage protests in Riga in May, Latvian Pensioners' Federation Chairman Andris Silins told the LNT morning show "900 sekundes" today.

The federation expects specific action from the government and emphasizes that the current situation is critical, especially for pensioners living in rural areas.

By specific action the Latvian Pensioners' Federation means considerably increasing (at least) small pensions. The federation estimates that LVL 20 million is required to index all pensions.

According to Silins, if the federation's protests are held, they will be peaceful and protesters will be "armed" with posters.

The federation's board will convene on April 15 to decide on further action.

As reported, the matter of indexing of pensions could be reviewed after the first half of the year, when the situation in the social budget becomes clearer, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) told reporters after a meeting with the Latvian Pensioners' Federation (LPF) on April 4.

However, even if there are funds for it, indexing of pensions could resume only for small pensions, said the prime minister, reminding that the matter can only reviewed in the context of budget capability.