| We have learned that the Constitutional Court of the RF
received an inquiry from a group of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal
Assembly of Russia on the violation by the state of the Russian Federation
(Russia) of citizens' rights envisaged by the Constitution.
This regards the problem that concerns most of our readers - pensions
that render it impossbile to live a dignified life.
One has only to read some of correspondence received by our magazine to
become
convinced of this fact.
"Excuse me, I may seem importunate, but I am turning to you for assistance
with a problem that I find very painful, as do many others, writes Nikolai
N. from Tambov region.- I am 61, my labour term is almost 45 years (minus
three months). I receive a pension of 1,200 roubles per month (ed. About
USD 40).
We are offended by our state, as many other veterans of rural work.
Our many years labour has been depreciated. My wife and I are children
of the war (Ed. The Second World War), grew without fathers who were killed
in the war, during our childhood we experienced hunger, cold and humiliation,
and have been working at collective farms since the age of 14, and have
worked equally with grown-ups. When we reached adulthood, we implemented
our debt to the full: we went to work where we were sent regardless of
whether we were satisfied by the wages there or not. We even did not think
about discussing this issue or standing up for our rights.
I don't remember ever asking for profitable work. This was considered
immodest and improper - we were not raised as today, we were instilled
into thinking first about the needs of the economy and the country. So
why are we punished when we retire?
A new pension system is now operational. I am afraid that rural dwellers
will find themselves impoverished again. We are treated as if were unimportant,
like people ready to accept any injustice."
Deputies from the YABLOKO faction who prepared an inquiry to the Constitutional
Court - also think that the state should provide dignified life to those
who earned their retirement. Moreover, Grigory
Yavlinsky is convinced that the state has the requisite funds to do
this.
Recently the YABLOKO party stepped up its activity considerably, including
in the regions. This is probably attributable to increased opportunities
for YABLOKO members. Over the past year the number of party members has
increased several times to 60,000 people.
The deputies' inquiry will be duly examined by the Constitutional Court.
We shall keep our readers informed about further developments.
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