Employees Pressured by Employers to Contribute to Pension Fund Urged to Retain Evidence

The new funded pension program creates a lot of inconvenience since it forces citizens to submit a written request to opt out, said Davit Khazhakyan, a member of the pressure group Dem Em ("I Am Against") against pension reform, at a press conference in Yerevan's Media Center today. He said that the group will continue to hold protests, as the matter is not yet resolved. 

"As one of our protestors said, if 80% of the population is opposed, why should that 80% submit a written request? The other issue is we were fighting against the mandatory system; now, however, the system has remained mandatory — it's people's participation that's voluntary. This means that the struggle has to continue and the controversial provisions have to be removed," he said. 

"Now we have to wait for the bill to be made public. After that we will develop and publicize a version of the appeal. Also, awareness and other types of campaigns will continue," said Dem Em member Lusine Vatyan. 

Members of the group urge all workers who will be placed under pressure (to contribute to a private pension fund) to make the issue public and not pay tribute to employers to contribute to the pension system. 

"Pressure is literally a crime. It would be good for those who are put under pressure to retain evidence, to use in court," said Khazhakyan. 

Recall, Armenia's National Assembly at its second reading yesterday adopted the revised bill on the mandatory funded pension.