19:41, 14 December 2013

Yerevan: Santa Clauses opposed accumulative pension system

Today, Yerevan held a protest against the law "On Mandatory Accumulative Pension System".

The action, organized by the initiative groups DEM.AM and "Against 5-percent compulsory payments", was attended by dozens of people dressed as Santa Clauses and waving flags with the inscription "Against!" The protesters marched from Freedom Square along the central streets of Yerevan, handing out candies to children, and information leaflets about the conditions of the new pension system and all the entailed risks – to adults.

"We've come from a distant Lapland to inform you that in 2014 your salary will be reduced by 6.6-13%," the protesters appealed to passers-by. Activists have noted that "protests will be held until the matter is decided in our favour."

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that it was planned to introduce the mandatory accumulative pension system in Armenia from January 2014. On December 13, the Armenia's Parliament rejected, by a majority vote, the proposal of the oppositional factions to postpone the introduction of the above law by a year.

Author: Armine Martirosyan

Source: CK correspondent