4 factions urge citizens to continue struggle against new pension system

The four non-coalition factions of the Armenian parliament – Prosperous Armenia (BHK), Armenian National Congress (HAK), Heritage and ARFD factions issued a joint statement, expressing support for the just movement of citizens against the introduction of the compulsory accumulative pension system. The statement says in particular:

“Society’s protest against the compulsory component of the accumulative pension scheme has led to new developments. Realizing that their constitutional rights are violated and real incomes of people have fallen, whole staffs are now staging protests. Protests of employees of the Spendiarian Opera and Ballet Theatre, South Caucasus Railway CJSC, the Yerevan Metro, and Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC are a manifestation of our citizens’ determination to defend their rights. It is important that the members of ‘I am against’ initiative are at their side, which gives the legal struggle a new quality of civic maturity.

The four non-coalition factions consider as unacceptable and condemn the comments and explanations – which contradict the well-known decision of the Constitutional Court - of the Central Bank of Armenia and the State Revenue Committee that exceed their authority. We urge active, struggling, conscious citizens and youths to continue the struggle in a more intensive and organized way. We urge employers to observe the legal requirement of the Constitutional Court and rule out pressure and threats against employees.

We are sure that the growing movement against the compulsory accumulative component will make the authorities become sober and renounce the practice which violates the rights and interests of society and every citizen and leads to a deep crisis of trust.

We are sure that in case of a powerful protest movement, it will become possible to achieve the Constitutional Court’s decision about unconstitutionality of the compulsory accumulative pension component.

We heartily support the just movement of our citizens and are prepared to continue struggling till final victory”.