European Commission to look into Moroccan pension payments at MEP's insistence

3.14.42pm GMT Wed 8th Nov 2006

Following the historic tripartite agreement reached in September between the UK, Spain and Gibraltar, which saw the UK Government agree to pay upgraded pensions to former Spanish workers in Gibraltar, South West Liberal Democrat MEP Graham Watson has highlighted to the European Commission the plight faced by former Moroccan workers in Gibraltar for whom the agreement does not apply.

In September, Graham Watson raised with the Commission the question that a pension settlement should not be endorsed by the EU without considering its effect on Moroccan and other EU pensioners who have made similar pensions contributions in Gibraltar. Recently the Commission replied stating that it would look into these concerns in line with its principles of equal treatment and non-discrimination.

Speaking on the matter, Graham Watson MEP said:

"September's tripartite agreement was a huge step forward and I warmly welcome the decision to cooperate on matters which have previously soured relations. However that does not mean that this agreement is above the law or immune from scrutiny. On pensions, an injustice has been done to the Moroccan workers and I am glad the European Commission is going to look into it."

The Moroccan workforce, brought to Gibraltar by the UK Government after Spanish workers were withdrawn in 1969, is the largest single national group affected. But workers from almost every other member state are in a similar situation having entered the labour market after 1969, when the border with Spain was shut, and having contributed to the social security system.

In 1989 pensions payments to former Spanish workers in Gibraltar were frozen at £47.50 per week in line with their contributions pre-1969. The cap on pension payments also applied to around 1,600 Moroccan pensioners who paid large amounts in social insurance contributions between 1969 and reaching pensionable age.