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  • Sparing 2500 For People

    SPARING 2500 FOR PEOPLE
    Naira Hayrumyan

    http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/country/view/27893
    Country - Tuesday, 30 October 2012, 16:33

    What social needs can be met on 35,000 drams a month? Of course,
    one can buy a big bag of potatoes, bread, and a lot of vegetables
    in September and October. But, how can one pay electricity, gas and
    water bills on this money? How can one buy clothes, shoes for oneself
    and for one's children?

    Hakob Hakobyan, the head of the NA standing committee of social affairs
    said 35,000 is enough for social needs. He presented the scheme which
    they apparently use to calculate the minimum wage increase. 2,500 is
    deemed a considerable growth of 11% (over 32,500).

    Hakobyan also said that the state should do everything to make sure
    the poverty rate does not increase. "We are going to boost salaries
    of public servants by 3,500 drams to keep the poverty rate of the
    2012 January period till the 2013 December," he said.

    He could not have said anything more cynical. When a member of
    parliament says that the state cannot afford to boost salary, one
    wants to argue but it seems an excuse rather. But when someone says
    that one can live on 35,000, it is cynicism.

    2500 drams is 11% of 32,500. But who has decided that it should be
    32,500? Who thinks it is possible to live for a month on this sum
    money? Moreover, the minimum consumer basket is 65-70 thousand. Only
    in countries with the minimum wage higher than the minimum consumer
    basket there is satisfaction of the "social needs".

    What does it mean to keep the poverty rate at the same level? The
    state is supposed not to keep it the same but to reduce it. 38% of the
    population is poor. Does the government intend to keep this 38% poor?

    Armenia is one of the most polarized countries in the world in terms
    of income per capita. In Armenia no one knows how the "rich" pole
    lives. Despite laws on property declaration etc we never learn what
    our officials have, how they live and how they gained their wealth.

    But they are sure that people are able to make both ends meet on
    35,000, that they will not protest, overthrow the government and will
    prefer sending their children to work in Moscow. Just because it is
    impossible to survive on 35,000 drams.

    According to international reports, Armenia ranks 124 in the world
    by social capital. It is noteworthy that the countries with the
    lowest social capital are also distinguished for the highest level
    of adaptability. See what is going on in Greece or Spain. And these
    are the countries with the highest level of social protection. They
    work less than people in any other country, they spend half a day
    on their siesta, get high pensions and benefits. And as soon as they
    were asked to tighten their belts, they rebelled.

    In Armenia, people are already used to this and they do not think
    it is necessary to change this. Everyone finds their own way getting
    adjusted to the conditions imposed on them, that is why Hakob Hakobyan,
    Gagik Minasyan, Vardan Ayvazyan and others like them are in parliament
    and state that 2,500 is a pity for our nation.


    From: Baghdasarian
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