A group of demonstrators took to the streets in Nuuk on Monday. They believe that early retirement pensioners receive too little benefit.
On Monday, about 25 protesters walked from the Nuuk Community Center to Inatsisartut. Their cries of “enough is enough” filled the street.
The protesters believe that early retirement pensioners receive far too low a benefit. This makes it difficult to manage everyday life when prices in the country are rising at the same time, they believe.
The demonstration was organized by Jensine Lerch, who herself is an early retiree.
– Having to live like this, especially with children or if you have a child without being able to buy clothes for them, I can’t accept that, she says.
One of those who showed up was Arnánguak’ K. Stork. She is not an early retirement pensioner herself, but has seen how early retirement pensioners have had a harder and harder time over the past 15 years. She therefore chose to participate in the demonstration to show her support.
– It has become incredibly difficult to live, everything is increasing in price – goods, housing, transportation. They are really vulnerable and live in great need, said Arnánguak’ K. Stork.
Durable solution
When the group reached Inatsisartut, the Minister of Social Affairs, Labour, Internal Affairs and the Environment, Bentiaraq Ottosen (D), and the Minister of Children, Youth and Families, Mads Pedersen (IA), stepped out onto the steps, where they listened as the protesters expressed their frustration.
Bentiaraq Ottosen responded to their frustrations and emphasized that he heard them and would like to make changes together with them.
Mads Pedersen pointed out that changes cannot happen from one moment to the next. To create a sustainable solution, you need to look at the whole picture, so that money is not simply moved from one social benefit to another, he told those present.