28 June 2007
The German government has agreed to a rise in the pensions of at least 50,000 Holocaust survivors in Europe. The decision was announced on Wednesday after the annual negotiations with Germany led by the Conference for Jewish Material Claims against Germany (JCC). According to a JCC announcement, negotiators also secured an additional 1,500 pensions for survivors who are - or were - citizens of certain western European countries.
"These are very important breakthroughs, which will benefit Holocaust survivors in many countries," said Claims Conference executive vice president Gideon Taylor. "We are continuing to negotiate with the German government over a range of other critical issues." The cost-of-living increase will take effect in October 2007. Under the new plan, the German Ministry of Finance will increase monthly payments from US$ 235 to US$ 268 for eligible Holocaust survivors living in the European Union. About 14,500 survivors in non-EU countries such as Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine will see their payments increase from US$ 168 to US$ 221. The Claims Conference delegation was co-chaired by Taylor and the treasurer of the conference, Roman Kent.
