Parliament votes down mandatory cumulative pension law delayDecember 4, 2013 - 18:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian parliament voted down suggestion of a year-long delay for introduction of a mandatory cumulative pension law, with 46 votes in favor and 56 against. The suggestion was initiated by the Prosperous Armenia, Armenian National Congress, Heritage and ARFD parliamentary groups. As ARFD faction secretary Aghvan Vardanyan told journalists following the vote, the parliamentary group will appeal against the law in Constitutional Court. Hundreds took to the streets in Yerevan to protest the decision, having marched from the Ombudsman’s office to the governmental building. The office of the human rights defender joined the protesters in their decision to address the Constitutional Court to determine whether the parliament’s decision is in line with the country’s Constitution. New protest actions, including a motor protest and a mass rally were scheduled for December 5. The law, to come into force January 1, envisages for employees under 40 to allocate 5% of their monthly salaries to cumulative accounts with the government to add another 5%. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |