New Europe
Jan 8 2012
Pensions, poverty benefits increase
Article | January 8, 2012 – 5:05pm
The government of Armenia recently gave a nod to rise in modest
pensions and other social benefits paid to hundreds of thousands of
people. From this month the average monthly pension in Armenia will
rise from AMD 28,700 to 31,300 dram ($82), Armenia Liberty.org
reported.
The government said that the minimum pension will be raised by about
24% to 13,000 dram. Retirement benefits are being provided to more
than 500,000 Armenians, or about 16% of the country’s population.
Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian’s cabinet also announced a 9% rise in
the average amount of poverty benefits paid to some 105,000 low-income
families. This year it will stand at 29,350 dram a month.
Labour and Social Affairs Minister Artur Grigorian said this year
several poor families will be included in the social security net as
the government has eased eligibility criteria for this assistance. In
addition, the government also plans more than 20% rises in even more
modest monthly benefits paid to people with disabilities and families
of deceased army soldiers. Meantime oppositions slammed the decision
of the government as they argue that social security payments will
still be below the per-capita poverty line set by the government
entailing increased cost of life in Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
