Pristina, July 30, 2025 – The Ombudsperson hosted a meeting with representatives of the union and the pensioners’ association where they discussed a number of issues related to pensioners.

The pensioners stressed that the Constitutional Court’s ruling remains concerning for them, where according to them, the non-recognition of work experience under 15 years represents discrimination and a violation of the right to property. They said that the fact that their experience from the 1990s is recognized but this does not translate into compensation for the amount of their pension places them in a discriminatory position.

They said that they were initially discriminated against when they were dismissed from their jobs in 1990s for political reasons, under violent measures, and now they are discriminated against in relation to those who have worked during this period and who receive a full contributory pension for 15 years, while those who have been dismissed are only recognized for their seniority but are not recognized for their right to pension compensation.

They also spoke about the obligation that pensioners have to appear every 6 months and if they do not report, their pension is stopped, and their pensions are not returned even when they report later. Another concern raised was regarding the bans imposed on the Kosovo Pension Trust, which has no legal basis for pensioners.

The Ombudsperson, Mr. Naim Qelaj, emphasized that pensioners are the most discriminated category in society, they face great difficulties and problems in life, they cannot enjoy a life with dignity and the state has not taken any action to improve their situation in society.

The pensioners asked the Ombudsperson to raise these concerns at the institutional level and find a solution, expressing dissatisfaction with the entire pension scheme, which is failing to meet the demands and needs of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. It should be emphasized that Kosovo does not have a pension fund and health insurance, and pensioners often do not receive pensions to cover essential needs, such as the supply of medicines.

The pensioners emphasized and the Ombudsperson agreed that the non-implementation of Articles 13 and 14 of the Law on Pension Schemes Financed by the State represents a problem, as well as the failure to fulfill the obligations that the state has towards this group of citizens, namely the elderly.

The practice of other countries has shown that states evaluate the amount of pension up to three or four times a year in relation to the standard and fulfillment of the minimum conditions of the basket, while in Kosovo this has not happened in the last five years.

The increases that have occurred for all other categories that receive a salary from the state, pensioners are the only ones whose pension has not been increased, even though there has been a change in the standard, with inflation and currently the pension of 100 euros is completely disproportionate even with the minimum wage which is currently 350 euros.

Pensioners also emphasized that the lack of communication and social dialogue, as well as the lack of willingness and political will to listen to the problems of the elderly is a concern for them and this causes them to be left aside, living in extremely difficult conditions.

The Ombudsperson emphasized that he has continuously followed with concern the problems and concerns that pensioners have. In many cases he has raised his voice and addressed these requests. He said that he will continue to be a strong voice for the realization of the rights of pensioners in the Republic of Kosovo, emphasizing that there is a need for a reform of pension schemes in order for these schemes to be in line with the demands and needs of citizens.