Pensioners of Tuzla Canton say at protest: We want European, not African average

(Patria) - A peaceful protest of pensioners demanding an increase in pensions was held today in Tuzla. The gathered pensioners marched from the building of the TK Prosecutor's Office to Freedom Square.

"We demand that the average pension be 52% of the average salary. That is the average in Europe. We do not want the average from Africa or third countries, but the average of Europe where we live. Also, we want the pension to be adjusted quarterly with salaries in the FBiH," said Vehid Jahić, one of the protest organizers.

According to their statements, the new Regulation on increasing the minimum wage leads to the average pension being only 40% of the average salary in the FBiH, which is significantly below European standards, and pensioners demand amendments to the Law on PIO/MIO so that average pensions reach 52% of the average salary.

They announced today that, if the request for a pension increase is not adopted, they will protest again at the end of February.