One more year, it is an honour to represent the German group in the EUROMEETING.
I am going to present a summary of the conclusions from the debate that took place yesterday.
We have discussed about the Association’s development, the relationships that our Association has with other European associations, and the promotion of a European Federation for the Elderly.
The main goal of this association must be the recruitment of new associates, because the bigger the group is, the more we will achieve, so we will be able to go to the European Parliament as just one voice will represent all Europe.
There are still some social contracts guaranteed in Germany, Spain and Portugal. However, serious problems will arise in case the Savings Banks would be privatised, just as it is happening in France, Great Britain, Italy and Belgium.
Because of the privatisation of the Savings Banks in Belgium, the situation for the associates there is indefinite and tense.
Mr. Ingham, from the United Kingdom, showed his satisfaction regarding the Alicante Declaration. The English group belongs to a trade union. However, they are not members of a political party. The associates try to find organisations which share the same interests, because the trade unions are not the best way of association for pensioners.
In the United Kingdom, most pensioners are suspicious of the Blair government and the changers that the European Union will bring. The purchasing of Savings Banks by Lloyd’s Bank will trigger very negative consequences for employees and pensioners.
In Spain there are 30 pensioner associations. Social justice prevails there, and pensioners still remember the Savings Banks they worked for with affection. Because of the reserves kept by the Savings Banks, pensioners reach up to a 100% of the salary they received when they were active, but it seems this is not guaranteed for the future.
The Savings Banks profits are used in social work, as hospitals, kindergartens, etc. This means that the Savings Banks get a good advertising and, simultaneously, they can increase their client portfolio.
There are no registered pensioner associations in Germany. However, we try to share the global idea and help all generations to live in safety and harmony in the European House. We cannot imagine the German Savings Banks being taken over by private banks during the next 10-15 years, because their present structure, that is, the subdivision into Savings Banks, Transfer Institutions, Popular banks and private banks, should be totally transformed.
We think it is our right to exige the guarantee of pensions in order to preserve our spending power, the protection of our health and to avoid the taking of decisions without asking our opinion.
We cannot trust trade unions because they do not make any profit from the fight for the pensioner’s rights.
When we finally make all Europe listen to a strong voice that will represent us all, then the political parties will pay attention to us.
Even though the interests are different in each country, it is important to ponder.
The population is ageing and the birthrate is decreasing, so the funds provisions for pensioners are also decreasing.
We have chosen the right way to develop a European Platform. Likewise, we will make possible for the people about to reach retirement age to have de chance to become part of our 'Society for all ages'.
Finally, I wish you a good trip back home and I hope you all will be able to attend our Euromeeting next year, at ISDABE, in Andalucia.
I want to thank the members of the organization, Mr. Lidón and Cristina for these days full of experiences that we have shared. And I want to thank Raffael and Jessica for interpretation.
