16:00, 18 January 2014

Yerevan rally demands to cancel new pension system

A rally demanding to repeal the new accumulative pension system. Yerevan, December 17, 2013. Photo by Armine Martirosyan for the "Caucasian Knot"

A rally demanding to repeal the new accumulative pension system is held on Saturday in Yerevan with the participation of Armenian oppositional parties. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports an audience of 10,000.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the new pension system is in force in the country since January 1. It obliges Armenian citizens to make mandatory five-percent contributions from each salary, and, according to its opponents, may significantly worsen the status of the disadvantaged population.

The protesters note that the problem has united four different opposition parties: the Armenian National Congress (ANC), the "Heritage", the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) "Dashnaktsutyun" and the "Prosperous Armenia". Earlier, Armenian political analysts forecasted that such solidarity can lead to changes of the political situation in the country.

Let us remind you that the new pension system is a part of the 2013-2017 programme of the Government of Armenia. Opponents of the reform offered to postpone it by at least a year; however, the Armenian parliament had rejected the offer by majority vote.

Author: Armine Martirosyan

Source: CK correspondent