Whilst hosting a delegation from the Alliance of Pensioners Organizations at the party offices, Dr Harry Vassallo said that "the pensioners proposal for direct representation on the MCESD is fully in line with Alternattiva Demokratika policy in favour of effective consultation of civil society. The contribution which the pensioners alliance can make in discussing crucial social and economic issues is invaluable. It is the full participation by civil society we were promised on joining the EU."

"The Alliance of Pensioners Organizations is also demanding that the government's acceptance in principle that a minimum pension be set at 60% of the median income should not be postponed in practice until 2027," Dr Vassallo said. "Alternattiva Demokratika fully endorses the stand taken by the pensioners alliance: it is not reasonable to acknowledge the actual poverty of some pensioners today and propose to address it effectively only in 2027. The government either agrees that this is a significant and urgent issue or it does not and it should be clear in action as well as in discourse" Dr Vassallo said. He added that the pensioners proposal for a gradual application of this important principle is reasonable acknowledgement of the difficulty any government must face.

Dr Vassallo also promised the support of Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party for a revision of the pension system which remains a patchwork of many years of legislation lacking clarity and coherence. "The arbitrariness and the consequent injustice of the present system must be addressed. The pension system must be simplified in order to treat equals equally and for those entitled to a pension to be able to defend their rights effectively," Dr Vassallo said.

"Alternattiva Demokratika also shares the concern of the pensioners alliance that the present ceiling on pensions not only affects those who retire and experience a very drastic drop in their incomes but has now become a threat to those on the lower scales because of the way pensions are structured." Dr Vassallo said. "It is clear at this time that present day pensioners and pensioners-to-be face a progressive impoverishment in the coming years if the present structure is not radically reformed. In government Alternattiva Demokratika is committed to raise these issues in Cabinet and to insist that they are addressed in a non-partisan manner with the full participation of all stakeholders," Dr Vassallo said.

Dr Vassallo also raised the issue of separated persons who are denied the pensions of their separated and deceased spouse. "It is altogether unacceptable that the government benefits financially from the increasing number of separations to the prejudice principally of widows," Dr Vassallo said.