The working group established in the government for the funded mandatory pension contributions is suggesting defining a targeted social contribution instead of the former funded contribution. This information is provided by “Pastinfo”. According to these changes, we can say that nothing has changed, and the key issue against which “I am Against” initiative is fighting are not changed in particular. For example, the maximum recommended threshold for the targeted social contribution is 500 thousand drams, but the state’s participation suggests 25,000 drams. Even this amended version, which is suggested by the government is also anti-constitutional, opines the member of “I am Against” initiative, Davit Khazhakyan, in the conversation with Aravot.am.
“What is presented now, and if we accept that it is final, it is anti-constitutional with regard to age discrimination, because such social contribution cannot exist, which works for one layer of age, and not the other.” As said by the member of “I am Against” initiative, the clause of the law with regard to the age discrimination shall be declared anti-constitutional, and the government is trying to bring it back to the agenda. “I am Against” initiative will continue fighting against this new suggestion, if it remains in the current form. “We, naturally, will continue fighting, and the fight will enter a new phase. It should be clearly understood that this cannot be a solution even if it starts being effective since 2017, because, yes, almost nothing has changed, in other words, the essence of the Constitutional Court’s decision was not taken into account. The government should finally realize that the system should not be mandatory, there must be such a funded system that complies with our Constitution, and it can only be voluntary.”
Pertaining to the government proposal, in the conversation with Aravot.am, the NA MP Artsvik Minasyan expressed an opinion that by changing only the name and leaving the essence the same will not resolve the issue, and the version proposed by the government, according to Mr. Minasyan, cannot be put into effect.
Nelly BABAYAN
