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SPARING 2500 FOR PEOPLE
Naira Hayrumyan
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/country/view/27893
Country - Tuesday, 30 October 2012, 16:33
What social needs can be met on 35,000 drams a month? Of course,
one can buy a big bag of potatoes, bread, and a lot of vegetables
in September and October. But, how can one pay electricity, gas and
water bills on this money? How can one buy clothes, shoes for oneself
and for one's children?
Hakob Hakobyan, the head of the NA standing committee of social affairs
said 35,000 is enough for social needs. He presented the scheme which
they apparently use to calculate the minimum wage increase. 2,500 is
deemed a considerable growth of 11% (over 32,500).
Hakobyan also said that the state should do everything to make sure
the poverty rate does not increase. "We are going to boost salaries
of public servants by 3,500 drams to keep the poverty rate of the
2012 January period till the 2013 December," he said.
He could not have said anything more cynical. When a member of
parliament says that the state cannot afford to boost salary, one
wants to argue but it seems an excuse rather. But when someone says
that one can live on 35,000, it is cynicism.
2500 drams is 11% of 32,500. But who has decided that it should be
32,500? Who thinks it is possible to live for a month on this sum
money? Moreover, the minimum consumer basket is 65-70 thousand. Only
in countries with the minimum wage higher than the minimum consumer
basket there is satisfaction of the "social needs".
What does it mean to keep the poverty rate at the same level? The
state is supposed not to keep it the same but to reduce it. 38% of the
population is poor. Does the government intend to keep this 38% poor?
Armenia is one of the most polarized countries in the world in terms
of income per capita. In Armenia no one knows how the "rich" pole
lives. Despite laws on property declaration etc we never learn what
our officials have, how they live and how they gained their wealth.
But they are sure that people are able to make both ends meet on
35,000, that they will not protest, overthrow the government and will
prefer sending their children to work in Moscow. Just because it is
impossible to survive on 35,000 drams.
According to international reports, Armenia ranks 124 in the world
by social capital. It is noteworthy that the countries with the
lowest social capital are also distinguished for the highest level
of adaptability. See what is going on in Greece or Spain. And these
are the countries with the highest level of social protection. They
work less than people in any other country, they spend half a day
on their siesta, get high pensions and benefits. And as soon as they
were asked to tighten their belts, they rebelled.
In Armenia, people are already used to this and they do not think
it is necessary to change this. Everyone finds their own way getting
adjusted to the conditions imposed on them, that is why Hakob Hakobyan,
Gagik Minasyan, Vardan Ayvazyan and others like them are in parliament
and state that 2,500 is a pity for our nation.
From: Baghdasarian
Naira Hayrumyan
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/country/view/27893
Country - Tuesday, 30 October 2012, 16:33
What social needs can be met on 35,000 drams a month? Of course,
one can buy a big bag of potatoes, bread, and a lot of vegetables
in September and October. But, how can one pay electricity, gas and
water bills on this money? How can one buy clothes, shoes for oneself
and for one's children?
Hakob Hakobyan, the head of the NA standing committee of social affairs
said 35,000 is enough for social needs. He presented the scheme which
they apparently use to calculate the minimum wage increase. 2,500 is
deemed a considerable growth of 11% (over 32,500).
Hakobyan also said that the state should do everything to make sure
the poverty rate does not increase. "We are going to boost salaries
of public servants by 3,500 drams to keep the poverty rate of the
2012 January period till the 2013 December," he said.
He could not have said anything more cynical. When a member of
parliament says that the state cannot afford to boost salary, one
wants to argue but it seems an excuse rather. But when someone says
that one can live on 35,000, it is cynicism.
2500 drams is 11% of 32,500. But who has decided that it should be
32,500? Who thinks it is possible to live for a month on this sum
money? Moreover, the minimum consumer basket is 65-70 thousand. Only
in countries with the minimum wage higher than the minimum consumer
basket there is satisfaction of the "social needs".
What does it mean to keep the poverty rate at the same level? The
state is supposed not to keep it the same but to reduce it. 38% of the
population is poor. Does the government intend to keep this 38% poor?
Armenia is one of the most polarized countries in the world in terms
of income per capita. In Armenia no one knows how the "rich" pole
lives. Despite laws on property declaration etc we never learn what
our officials have, how they live and how they gained their wealth.
But they are sure that people are able to make both ends meet on
35,000, that they will not protest, overthrow the government and will
prefer sending their children to work in Moscow. Just because it is
impossible to survive on 35,000 drams.
According to international reports, Armenia ranks 124 in the world
by social capital. It is noteworthy that the countries with the
lowest social capital are also distinguished for the highest level
of adaptability. See what is going on in Greece or Spain. And these
are the countries with the highest level of social protection. They
work less than people in any other country, they spend half a day
on their siesta, get high pensions and benefits. And as soon as they
were asked to tighten their belts, they rebelled.
In Armenia, people are already used to this and they do not think
it is necessary to change this. Everyone finds their own way getting
adjusted to the conditions imposed on them, that is why Hakob Hakobyan,
Gagik Minasyan, Vardan Ayvazyan and others like them are in parliament
and state that 2,500 is a pity for our nation.
From: Baghdasarian