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Portuguese pensions
Date2006/07/18 22:28 par : Richard PondNils asked for our views.
I think it's hard for us as outsiders (i.e. non-Portuguese) to be sure of the merits of the proposals. I'd say that greater equality in pension earnings and a crackdown on contribution avoidance are both definitely good things. The changes in the pension calculation don't sound as good in principle, but presumably they might be necessary - this is the sort of thing one can't judge without more knowledge of the facts, any alternative proposals, and so on.
It's obviously best if these things can be agreed by both employers and employees, to maximise the chances of a lasting and stable consensus. At the same time, there is nothing inherently socialist or leftwing about employer/employee collaboration (arguably the opposite; certainly, "corporatism" was a part of fascist ideology, at least in principle, though big business always dominated in actual practice). As socialists we should of course make clear that when and if the interests of employers and employees come into conflict (as often happens), we are on the side of the workers. -
Re:Portuguese pensions
Date2006/07/24 12:44 par : Nils WörnerThank you very much for your interesting input.
Just some personal thoughts from my side:
I only think that you are right that most of the "achievements" don't sound too good if you look at them from a "present orientated" point of view.
But on my opinion we face a big problem in Europe: Soon there will not be enough working force left to support the older generations. Was it SOCIAL (especially from socialist parties in governments) not to assure our future? Politicians could have made "having children" atractive enough to guarantee the continuation of existing pension structures. Or they could have changed the structures at the moment the problems of aging societies become evident. Already fifteen years ago my teachers explained me in school not only that but also why our German pension system must collapse if no measures were taken. Almost no measures were taken until today. The problem is visible for everyone with a time horizont larger than a few years. But almost no one cared/cares.
Now the overaged society has already become a bitter reality. What solutions do we have but to do reforms? These reforms can unfortunately be only as social as the circumstances are allowing it. Or of course we could wait a few more years and wait until pensions "just hit the wall" and are bankrupt.
I am not saying that the Portugese compromise is a good one as I also don't know enough facts about it. But I am happy that a country starts doing some reforms and I would wish that socialist parties start looking at the future asking themselves what is social in perspective of sustainability and not only at this very moment.
Post edited by: nils, at: 2006/07/25 12:57 -
Re:Portuguese pensions
Date2006/09/26 03:02 par : AntónioThe portuguese "socialists" are not socialists anymore. Even the Prime Minister and Leader of the PS has publicly admited that he is a centrist and has moved away the Socialist Party (PS) to the center. This was a reason why Manuel Alegre (contested last presidential election as socialist dissident) and came second.
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Re:Portuguese pensions
Date2008/07/06 00:20 par : Alexandre Gomese formidavel de escriver en ingles mas quando o povo nao comprendem commo fazemos
