DILI, 13 january 2023 (TATOLI) – The Parliamentary Committee A which deals with Justice and Constitution matters has already scheduled for next month the discussion on the amendment of Timor-Leste’s lifetime pension laws.
“We have already scheduled the discussion of the amendment of the laws on lifetime pensions for february,” Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee A, Joaquim dos Santos, said via telephone interview.
Santos recalled that Committee A had already held a public hearing with the relevant entities regarding the discussion to amend the Law on the Lifetime Pension.
“Therefore, Committee A is still waiting for some proposals from the government,” he said.
Santos said that when the National Parliament approves the Law on Lifetime Pensions, it has to analyze it carefully, saying that the beneficiaries of lifetime pensions are different from civil servants: “The law approved by Parliament must not violate the rights of citizens which has to be based on the Constitution.
“So, we have to look at it carefully and we will see how the discussion goes. If the majority of MPs agree to remove the law, then we can remove it,” he said.
Santos added that Committee A is only responsible for organizing the discussion, saying that the decision on amending the law depends on the consensus of each political party bench in parliament.
In 2007, the lifetime pension law was passed by National Parliament giving a pension and special privileges to former members of parliament, and former members of the national government.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
