Opposition politicians, economic experts discuss state benefits, pensions :: Charter'97 :: News

Opposition politicians and economic experts on Friday met in Minsk to discuss proposals that they could put forward to authorities regarding the system of state benefits and pensions.

The discussion was hosted by the office of Belarusian Party of Communists.

Anatol Lyabedzka, leader of the United Civic Party, called on the coalition of pro-democratic forces to try to initiate a referendum on the coming abolition of state benefits to many people, as well as on the government`s plans to build a nuclear power plant or ask state television networks to organize a wide discussion about the "socially important" matters. "In the current information situation, the state media keeps a mum about the issues, creating an impression that society is not worried about the problems," he said.

Economic expert Yaraslaw Ramanchuk said that the coalition should prepare draft laws for pension reform. He said that the government had submitted one bill outlining pension reform to the national legislature, but this was not enough. "It is impossible to reform the pension system with one law. It is necessary to develop normal laws on the budget, pensions, benefits and privatization. That is why I am deeply convinced that money coming from privatization should go to the pension fund that would finance pensions following its efficient use," he said.

Anatol Pawlaw, a member of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences, backed Mr. Ramanchuk`s proposal for drafting laws. However, he emphasized the need to first raise the public awareness about state benefits that they soon be stripped of. "Only after that, we should go with our strategy and bills to people," he stressed.