Youth and pension reform

Following the general assembly of the National Youth Council held last weekend, youth organisations are being assisted in drafting their reactions and proposals to the White Paper issued by the government on the pension reform. This was a result of months of research conducted by a specialised working group, appointed by the council, that researched the area of pensions on behalf of youth organisations.

Following the AGM and the article entitled National Youth Council Split On Pensions Issue (February 14), the NYC deems necessary the clarification of certain issues mentioned in the article.

The National Youth Council was the first member of the civil society to adopt a policy on pensions which is still in force today and which was featured with prominence on The Times in the past months. The NYC pensions policy brings together a common agreement on the principles that should guide the pensions system in Malta and thus bring together all youth movements with a common perspective on the issue.

This policy was agreed to by all member organisations of the National Youth Council. Thus, there is a consensus among all members on the policy which, in turn, confirms that youth organisations are united on a common policy with regards to pensions.

The annual general assembly of the NYC adopted a working document which was commissioned by the member organisations while the White Paper was being issued by the government. The objectives of the working group was to perform a professional research and submit proposals based on the White Paper.

The working paper will be circulated among the member youth organisations and will serve as a basis and impetus towards internal discussions within the youth organisations.

One must clarify that this document is not a position paper of the NYC. Submissions made by the member organisations will be forwarded to KNZ and, in turn, will be forwarded to the welfare reform committee of the government.

Further to the working document and reactions submitted by the member organisations, the welfare reform committee will also be receiving the NYC pensions policy which will guide the committee on the views which the youth organisations have on the future of the pensions system. The NYC will therefore be a channel of the reactions to the working document in relation to governmental committees.

The decision for KNZ to act as an intermediary between the various organisations and the governmental committees was taken unanimously in the general assembly and, therefore, one cannot speak of any splits within the council on the matter. This decision has given the opportunity for each organisation to carry out its research and discussions and, in turn, submit them to the appropriate committees.

While the NYC appreciated that The Times has always valued youth and their opinion, it feels that the flexibility allowed within its structures should also be praised as they allow for a balance between a common policy and the autonomy of the diversity of youth civil society enabling a wider opportunity for technical proposals that reflect the interests of smaller sectors and groups within the youth spectrum.