“I am against’ dissatisfied with changes to accumulative pension law

The Armenian government-submitted amendments to the Law on Accumulative Pensions are the result of a persistent struggle, the member of ‘I am against’ civil movement David Khazhakyan said at a meeting with journalists today.

In his words, despite this achievement, there are some reservations causing problems.

“It is illogical that citizens should file an application for refusal to participate in the compulsory accumulative pension system. If 80% are against, then why 80% and not the remaining 20% should write an application?” D. Khazhakyan asked.

According to him, under the law passed by the parliament, a person’s participation became voluntary, but the system remains compulsory.

As regards the payments made to pension funds, he said that the government has decided to use a mechanism declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court. “It means that the struggle should continue. We must struggle so that these controversial points could be improved,” the activist said.

As for the refund of already transferred payments, the member of ‘I am against’ initiative Lusine Vatyan said the recently amended and adopted law does not envisage a refund of contributions so the demands were not met.

“We made constitutional demands. The demands were not met fully. Some vulnerable points remain and they cannot be solved today, although they were expected to be solved by the new bill,” she said.

The initiative members urged citizens to file applications and try not to be subjected to pressure.

“The form of applications will be developed and printed. Those who chose their funds may file an application and their contributions will not be paid from the current months. Everyone should realize that applications received legal force,” L, Vatyan said.