Pensioners' union criticizes Serbian government's economic aid as pre-election ploy

Jovan Tamburić, deputy president of the Association of Unions of Retired Military Personnel in Serbia, has labeled the government's announced economic measures as a pre-election campaign tactic. He argues that the one-time payments to pensioners do not address the fundamental issues faced by those with the lowest incomes, offering only a temporary reprieve.

The government's package, announced by President Aleksandar Vučić, is valued at 500 million euros and aims to reach three million people. Pensioners will receive a one-time payment ranging from 20,000 to 35,000 dinars, depending on their pension amount. Tamburić believes that if the government were genuinely concerned about its citizens, this aid would be targeted only at pensioners with the lowest or average pensions, rather than all pensioners.

Tamburić stated that the one-time payment will make life only "bearable for seven to 10 days" for those living on the poverty line, after which they will again face survival challenges. He also questioned the government's policy on drug costs, suggesting that pensioners over 65 should be exempt from co-payments for their medications, with the state covering these expenses.

Regarding tourism vouchers, Tamburić described them as a mechanism primarily benefiting tourism organizations. He contends that pensioners with the lowest incomes cannot afford to visit spas independently. The vouchers are limited to pensioners earning up to 80,000 dinars, a measure Tamburić believes also harms the spas by reducing the purchasing power of these guests and thus diminishing the overall effectiveness of the program.