Vahram Baghdasarian: Pension system should not be compulsory

The compulsory accumulative pension system has some shortcomings and it does not enjoy public trust, nevertheless, it should be introduced after some of the law provisions are reviewed, the deputy of Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) parliamentary faction Vahram Baghdasarian told reporters today.

In his words, a pension system should not be compulsory. “The authorities are constantly accused that they do not solve long-term problems and that the government does not take decisive steps, but we should trust the government program. A situation, in which the system would function on a voluntary basis in the country, is desirable,” the deputy noted.

In all likelihood, about 60% of funds will remain in Armenia following the system’s introduction, he said.

At the same time V. Baghdasarian does not believe that the majority of citizens are opposed to the law on the new pension system. As regards the current protests, they are conditioned by the fact that that ‘the opposition ranks are dwindling’, while the pension theme creates a ‘good rostrum’.

“I did not see 80% of citizens at those protest actions. I think the rallies are not related to the law. There are just forces working in this direction,” V. Baghdasarian said.