RETIREMENT AGE: NOBODY ACCEPTS TO WORK, WHILE IT EARLY TO RETIRE

KarabakhOpen
11-12-2007 11:36:12

On the eve of the discussion of the state budget the most frequently
discussed topic is retirement. People discuss in the kitchen, at work
if the retirement age will change. After the presidential election
rumors filled Stepanakert that the retirement age for women will be
lowered from 63 to 55, men from 63 to 60.

It gave rise to various reactions.

Arev Mikaelyan said in an interview with Karabakh-Open.com she is happy
with the intention of the government. "I am 55. I was made redundant,
and nobody admits me to work. They say the age is not good. There is
still a long time until retirement. What shall I live on? Besides,
if I am not working now and earning money, how will they give me
retirement benefit?"

Arev Mikaelyan says she wants to write a letter to the prime
minister with a group of her peers and neighbors. She already has
their signatures.

Jenna Petrosyan works for one of the hospitals of Stepanakert. She is
56, and she has worked in the same hospital all her life. She worried
when she heard about the reduction of the retirement age. "Every time
such a decision is made, they force people to retire. I can work and
I am not going to retire. Although if the retirement benefit were as
much as my salary, I would retire and look after my grandchildren. But
you cannot live on this pension."

Jenna Petrosyan explains "fear" for retirement by the fact that
some head physicians of hospitals were offered to retire from their
positions and practice medicine.

The budget bill is discussed in the parliament. However, apparently
the retirement age will not change in 2008. Although it is obvious
that the ministry of social security will need to carry out a survey
to define the optimal age of retirement without violating the rights
of people when not a long time ago hundreds of skilful workers of
government agencies were made to retire in a month.