Persons with workplace disabilities organized a protest earlier today in front of the Ministry of Finance, where they called for the fulfillment of a series of demands from the government.

“We don’t want your pity, fulfill our demands. We want our rights, we want our rights”, the protesters chanted in unison.

Meanwhile, the head of the Disabled People’s Association Abdulla Omuri said that they have been left without any support from the government.

He further emphasized that more than 12 letters have been sent to the Ministry of Finance so far, but they have not yet received a single response.

In addition, an elderly woman from Gjirokastra said that disability benefits should be increased and that she only receives 100 euros per month, which is nowhere near enough for her to cover her monthly expenses.

“How can we raise our children? What can you do with 100 euros per month? I came from Gjirokastra, I represent the entire city of Gjirokastra. I suffer from cancer; take off those pink ribbons from your jackets.

I suffered from cancer and today I only receive 100 euros a month. Increase the pensions of the disabled”, she said.

8 are the demands of persons suffering from workplace disabilities among which is an increase in their monthly pensions as well as the reimbursement of their medicines and energy bills.

8 demands presented by persons with workplace disabilities:

1. Indexation of monthly disability benefits/pensions of those who have been disabled in the workplace, in line with income and price increases;
2. Reimbursement of electricity bills and fuel, as in all other categories;
3. The 500 ALL grant, promised in the 2020 budget;
4. The increase in disability assistance by 1000 ALL, promised by Prime Minister Edi Rama since 2013, and its indexation as in all other categories;
5. Transfer of disability benefits to social security;
6. Implementation of the law on exemption from taxes, especially local ones;
7. Reimbursement of medicines that are vital for disabled citizens and which have been prescribed after diagnosis;
8. Implementation of the law on Urban and Interurban transport.