House pledges to deal with multiple pensions

The House finance committee will begin renewed efforts to regulate the multiple state pension issue, which has been a sore point for months.

Committee chair and Diko MP Christiana Erotokritou on Thursday said the matter had been tabled for discussion starting Monday.

“It is unthinkable to have pensioners making €400 on one hand, and others getting two or three pensions.”

Speaking on the state broadcaster, she slammed it as unfair, unacceptable and a distortion.

Currently, officials who receive multiple pensions can choose to opt out of the practice, however Erotokritou said this was simply not good enough.

“The state cannot count on the good will of each person for how it operates.”

She added it was important to setup “a framework from the state barring individuals from receiving multiple pensions.”

The government has long promised to bring legislation regulating the controversial matter of these pensions paid out to state officials, but Erotokritou said despite ample time, this has yet to happen.

“We will move forward and begin discussions” starting Monday, she said.