Minister: Reforms Do Not Influence Veteran Rights

The president of a veteran association, Ivan Pandza, said veteran pensions were reduced by three percent with no explanation.

ZAGREB, CROATIA - The assembly of veteran associations from the Croatian War of Independence of the City of Zagreb (ZBUZG) and the association of war veterans from the Croatian War of Independence (HVIDR) of the City of Zagreb, are disgusted with the implementation of a three percent tax on pensions over 5008 kuna, which started the implementation of healthcare, it was said at a press conference of the veterans associations.

The president of Zagreb’s HVIDR Ivan Pandza said at the press conference that veterans’ pensions have been reduced by three percent without explanation, and that despite renewed demands, they could not get into contact with the leaders of the HZMO (Croatian Pension Insurance Institute).

Ivan Psenica, the vice-president of the ZBUZG, and the president of the association of captured and missing persons, said that tax was calculated on the families of deceased veterans, on the family pensions they receive, claiming that it is because of a lack of funds in the budget.

ZBUZG and HVIDR will soon hold a rally to present veterans’ problems

He added that, if taxes on the pensions were calculated by mistake, the responsibility needs to be determined so that similar mistakes do not occur.

ZBUZG and HVIDR of the City of Zagreb announced that they will soon hold a rally where they will present all of the veterans’ problems, because they are the most vulnerable situation in Croatia, even though the media portray the picture that veterans are cared for and happy.

The Minister of Health and Welfare Darko Milinovic strongly denied that the reform of the healthcare system hit the veteran population. After the meeting with the veterans’ associations, he said that veterans’ rights have not been reduced, but partly increased for those who suffer from PTSD, and that rights to orthopaedic aids has been made easier.

As far as the law on contributions are concerned, it is clear that the 3 percent tax on pensions does not apply to Croatian war military invalids (HRVI), because the reform of the healthcare system did not change the law on veterans’ rights, as well as members of their families, which is the opinion of the lawmaking office of the Croatian Cabinet.