Nicosia, Cyprus. Pensioners’ organisations have called for the immediate removal of what they described as an injustice affecting widowers, seeking equal rights regardless of the date of a spouse’s death.
They urged the labour ministry and the cabinet to take a clear stance without delay and requested an immediate meeting with the labour minister.
Call for policy change
In a letter to the labour ministry and the cabinet, the organisations said the state should act promptly to address the issue.
They said the matter was not only social but also institutional, citing equality, social justice and dignity.
Current eligibility rules
Under current provisions, men whose spouses died before January 2018 are not entitled to a widower’s pension.
Next meeting
The organisations are scheduled to meet on May 6 at 3.30pm to discuss developments.
Do you think widower pension eligibility should be the same regardless of the date of a spouse’s death?