Public Council to hold discussions on new pension law

Chairman of Armenia’s Public Council Vazgen Manukyan received today a group of teachers who are members of “I am against” initiative opposing the introduction of the compulsory accumulative pension system in Armenia, the press service of Public Council reported.

Manukyan heard the teachers' complaints about the amendments to the Law on Accumulative Pensions.

The teachers expressed their dissatisfaction and disagreement with the new pension law, noting that it contradicts not only the Constitution, but also the Constitutional Court’s decision of April 2, 2014, several legal acts of Armenia and the resolution of the Public Council. They stressed that the new draft law was passed without public discussions.

The teachers proposed that the Public Council chairman should organize public discussions on the controversial law, with representatives of various strata of society to be given the opportunity to voice their opinions and approaches.

On the instructions of Vazgen Manukyan, the Public Council held a working consultation with the participation of the first deputy head of the State Social Security Service Smbat Sairyan, the head of Finance Ministry’s Macroeconomic Policy Department Armen Hayrapetyan, the head of the General Education Department of Education and Science Ministry Ms. Narine Hovhannisyan, members of “I am against’ Initiative, and teachers.

The teachers expressed their concern over manifestations of discrimination caused by the law’s application in schools, and the negative impact of the compulsory deductions on the social condition of teachers receiving low salaries.

At the conclusion, the Public Council chairman said that a working group will be set up to hold discussions with the participation of the interested parties. The group will summarize the opinions and proposals voiced and present them to the Armenian president and the government.