PENSION REFORMS AIMED AT BOOSTING MIGRATION - STATEMENT
14:06 * 26.03.14
The Democratic Party of Armenia has criticized the government-proposed
pension reforms, considering them a contributory factor in migration.
In a statement, it has described the requirement for making salary
contributions to the pension funds as intentional and dictated policies
imposed upon the society against its own will.
"The authorities undoubtedly realize that this 'reform' not only
increases the citizens social burden - which is heavy as it is -
but also seriously impacts on the small- and medium-sized businesses.
"Despite the explanations and the assurances voiced, it is obvious that
no argument of our government stands criticism at all. The things have
gone so far that representatives of the executive and legislative
authorities have got entangled in their own 'findings'. The say,
on the one hand, that the Government is not going to control the
accumulated sums and claim on the other - that the 'long-term' money
will be invested in developing the economy. And at times they claim
that the money 'seized' from young working people will help raise
pensions. So, which is now the truth, friends?" reads the statement.
The amended pension law, which went into effect on January 1, requires
that all the employed Armenian citizens born in 1974 or later make
monthly contributions to the pension funds in the amount of 5%-10% of
their salaries. The measure met strong protests by the society, with
many expressing distrust in the system. The parliamentary opposition
(ARF-D, Heritage, Armenian National Congress and Prosperous Armenia)
later appealed to the Constitutional Court, asking it to revise the
controversial provisions of the amended pension law. On January 24,
the CC issued a ruling to suspend the mandatory component. A final
ruling is due on March 28.
Armenian News - Tert.am
14:06 * 26.03.14
The Democratic Party of Armenia has criticized the government-proposed
pension reforms, considering them a contributory factor in migration.
In a statement, it has described the requirement for making salary
contributions to the pension funds as intentional and dictated policies
imposed upon the society against its own will.
"The authorities undoubtedly realize that this 'reform' not only
increases the citizens social burden - which is heavy as it is -
but also seriously impacts on the small- and medium-sized businesses.
"Despite the explanations and the assurances voiced, it is obvious that
no argument of our government stands criticism at all. The things have
gone so far that representatives of the executive and legislative
authorities have got entangled in their own 'findings'. The say,
on the one hand, that the Government is not going to control the
accumulated sums and claim on the other - that the 'long-term' money
will be invested in developing the economy. And at times they claim
that the money 'seized' from young working people will help raise
pensions. So, which is now the truth, friends?" reads the statement.
The amended pension law, which went into effect on January 1, requires
that all the employed Armenian citizens born in 1974 or later make
monthly contributions to the pension funds in the amount of 5%-10% of
their salaries. The measure met strong protests by the society, with
many expressing distrust in the system. The parliamentary opposition
(ARF-D, Heritage, Armenian National Congress and Prosperous Armenia)
later appealed to the Constitutional Court, asking it to revise the
controversial provisions of the amended pension law. On January 24,
the CC issued a ruling to suspend the mandatory component. A final
ruling is due on March 28.
Armenian News - Tert.am