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PENSION REFORM AND REVOLT: MORE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AS COURT WEIGHS NEW LAW
http://armenianow.com/society/pensions/52001/armenia_pension_reform_electric_networks_protest
PENSIONS | 13.02.14 | 20:32
Photolure
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
For several days now staffs of various companies and economic
entities have been rebelling against the controversial pension reform,
nonetheless, the mandatory deductions from their salaries continue to
be made, while authorities are convinced the unrest will soon subside.
On Thursday, the Armenian Electric Networks (AEN) company employees
joined the standoff demanding to return the "illegally deducted money"
from their salaries made for the pension funds.
The company press secretary Natalya Sarajanyan countered, saying during
her meeting with the press, that AEN had done nothing illegal and had
simply abided by the law. She gave assurance that the deducted money
was kept in a special account, no transfers were made, no pension
funds selected, and if the Constitutional Court ruled to suspend the
new law on mandatory pension savings, the money would be returned
to the employees. Sarajanyan says, the company has 8,000 workers,
to whom the law applies to 2,500 (born after 1974).
On Wednesday, a few dozen subway workers held an act of protest at one
of the Yerevan Metro stations, while on Monday some 50 employees of
the South-Caucasian Railways CJSC threatened to go on strike and the
National Academy of Opera and Ballet performers rebelled by refusing
to go on stage.
The four oppositional factions joined the civil initiative and filed
a motion to the CC, which led to the court's January 24 decision
partially suspending the application of the law until its final
decision to be made in early spring. Meanwhile, citizens failing to
make the mandatory 5-10 percent monthly payments to the pension funds
as provided for by the new law should not be fined.
The authorities and many employers, however, have ignored the CC
procedural decision, claiming that the court has not suspended the
application of the law.
Despite the ongoing acts of protest, many believe they would not lead
to a social revolt.
Manvel Sargsyan, leading the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies, told ArmeniaNow that it is something new that
recently certain economic entity staffs unite into a civil protest
against a law they find unacceptable. However, he says, it is hard
to predict whether it might actually turn into a public rebellion.
"This demonstrates that, in fact, all the strata of society are
joining the standoff and if the authorities continue acting harsh,
it is merely a matter of time that broad front unrest unfolds in the
country," says Sargsyan.
Sociometer Center director Aharon Adibekyan says because Armenia has
international commitments it is highly unlikely that she would give
up the pension reform, however says large-scale social rebellion is
equally unlikely, despite the ongoing acts of protest and disturbances.
Ruling Republican faction leader Galust Sahakyan shared an opinion
that despite the existing protest among the society, there might have
been greater civil turbulences across the country rather that what
is happening now.
http://armenianow.com/society/pensions/52001/armenia_pension_reform_electric_networks_protest
PENSIONS | 13.02.14 | 20:32
Photolure
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
For several days now staffs of various companies and economic
entities have been rebelling against the controversial pension reform,
nonetheless, the mandatory deductions from their salaries continue to
be made, while authorities are convinced the unrest will soon subside.
On Thursday, the Armenian Electric Networks (AEN) company employees
joined the standoff demanding to return the "illegally deducted money"
from their salaries made for the pension funds.
The company press secretary Natalya Sarajanyan countered, saying during
her meeting with the press, that AEN had done nothing illegal and had
simply abided by the law. She gave assurance that the deducted money
was kept in a special account, no transfers were made, no pension
funds selected, and if the Constitutional Court ruled to suspend the
new law on mandatory pension savings, the money would be returned
to the employees. Sarajanyan says, the company has 8,000 workers,
to whom the law applies to 2,500 (born after 1974).
On Wednesday, a few dozen subway workers held an act of protest at one
of the Yerevan Metro stations, while on Monday some 50 employees of
the South-Caucasian Railways CJSC threatened to go on strike and the
National Academy of Opera and Ballet performers rebelled by refusing
to go on stage.
The four oppositional factions joined the civil initiative and filed
a motion to the CC, which led to the court's January 24 decision
partially suspending the application of the law until its final
decision to be made in early spring. Meanwhile, citizens failing to
make the mandatory 5-10 percent monthly payments to the pension funds
as provided for by the new law should not be fined.
The authorities and many employers, however, have ignored the CC
procedural decision, claiming that the court has not suspended the
application of the law.
Despite the ongoing acts of protest, many believe they would not lead
to a social revolt.
Manvel Sargsyan, leading the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies, told ArmeniaNow that it is something new that
recently certain economic entity staffs unite into a civil protest
against a law they find unacceptable. However, he says, it is hard
to predict whether it might actually turn into a public rebellion.
"This demonstrates that, in fact, all the strata of society are
joining the standoff and if the authorities continue acting harsh,
it is merely a matter of time that broad front unrest unfolds in the
country," says Sargsyan.
Sociometer Center director Aharon Adibekyan says because Armenia has
international commitments it is highly unlikely that she would give
up the pension reform, however says large-scale social rebellion is
equally unlikely, despite the ongoing acts of protest and disturbances.
Ruling Republican faction leader Galust Sahakyan shared an opinion
that despite the existing protest among the society, there might have
been greater civil turbulences across the country rather that what
is happening now.