Almost 80 % of Armenian lawmakers never read pension reform bill
22.11.2013,
18:27
Almost 80 % of Armenian lawmakers who approved the bill on mandatory pension savings fund and 90% of the government did not even read the package of relating documents, Artsvik Minasyan, a lawmaker from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation/Dashnaktsutyun (ARF) claimed today.
YEREVAN, November 22. / ARKA /. Almost 80 % of Armenian lawmakers who approved the bill on mandatory pension savings fund and 90% of the government did not even read the package of relating documents, Artsvik Minasyan, a lawmaker from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation/Dashnaktsutyun (ARF) claimed today.
Under the new pension plan to come into effect in January 2014, all Armenian citizens born after January 1, 1974 will have to transfer five percent of their nominal salaries to their personal retirement savings fund. The government promises to transfer as much every month, but no more than 25,000 drams ($62).
Critics of the law describe it as “anti-constitutional”, saying it restricts citizens’ freedom to administer their finances; however, the authorities retort by saying the new pension plan will contribute to development of the country and secure ‘decent retirement.”
According to Minasyan, in the government there are people who agree with ARF’s criticism in private conversations. The ARF member said the hope is that out-of-parliamentary forces, opposed to the law, will join the parliamentary opposition to make the government throw away the law.
Late last week the parliament majority derailed an extraordinary parliament session initiated by the minority factions to discuss the matter. This prompted groups of activists to continue their street protests against the enforcement of the law. -0-
