Citizens will determine pension amount
"The main purpose of the pension reforms is to make the pension about 50% of a person's salary," said chairperson of the NA standing committee on social affairs Hakob Hakobyan during a discussion on the draft law that envisages pension reforms.
"The purpose is to take 5% of the money from citizens' incomes and have the government show support so that we can manage the money to ensure a mandatory pension fund. The part of the state pension that we will receive today will stay for the entire period. It will be the first pension, the second will be mandatory and the third will be voluntary," said Hakobyan.
RA Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan noted that the pensions must fit the minimum consumer basket. Asatryan attached importance to the fact that citizens determine their future and that the citizens who haven't worked and present false documents will not receive as much as those who have.
"It is up to citizens to decide. If it is better for them to work with their employers under the given conditions and receive a minimum pension, it is their decision. They can't present more demands," said Asatryan.
Although former Head of the Central Bank, former chairperson of the NA standing committee on social affairs Bagrat Asatryan is not against the draft law, he doesn't believe that the authorities will do anything since they are not that resolute. "It sounds beautiful, but there is a lack of desire and ability." Proof of this is that the draft law didn't enter parliament after the first reading and was postponed.
Hakob Hakobyan said the draft law is being postponed because it requires large-scale instruments for enforcement. "We must first check the instruments because that will be a irrevocable process. As soon as the law enters into force and citizens pay, the process will continue." Hakobyan hopes that the draft law will be discussed again and implemented.
