The Government Delegate in Extremadura, Francisco Mendoza, said during his speech at the opening ceremony of the Badajoz Senior Citizens’ Fair, that “it is our responsibility, that of the governments and of the whole society, to recognize and guarantee the dignity of the elderly. And that recognition undoubtedly requires concrete measures that guarantee them, as recognized by our Constitution and our legal system, a decent income and quality public services.”
The Delegate has highlighted the importance of this group for Extremadura, noting that they represent 21.5% of the total population of the region and that every year pensioners manage and administer 3.2 billion euros, which represents a figure equivalent to 12% of the regional GDP.
Mendoza recalled the Government’s decision to link the increase in pensions to the increase in the CPI at least and the gradual increase in these benefits, especially non-contributory ones. “since the government I represent assumed its responsibility, the average pension in Extremadura has risen by 28.37%; in other words, 220 euros per month; 3,080 euros per year. And in addition, in this legislature, the financing of the so-called Law of the Unit that was approved back in 2006 as President of the Government Rodríguez Zapatero has increased by 50 percent.”
The delegate stressed the importance of this Fair because it is “an ideal showcase to advance in the new challenges that are facing us for the coming decades. Let us learn to listen to the elderly and let us all work for a society in which they, we in some time, feel an active part of it and feel recognized as they deserve.”