01.09.2018

Dear friends! The 20,000 rubles [approx. 250 euros] rate of pension by 2024 which the President promised in his latest address is a shame! It is really hard to survive on 20,000 rubles a month even now not to mention what will be in 6 years time.
https://www.facebook.com/EmiliaSlabunova/videos/1955130144785394/

Let us consider what we had 6 years ago. In 2012 the average pant ion rate was 9,600, approximately 310 US dollars. In 2018 the average pension rate is 14, 144 rubles. It is 208 US dollars. What is going to happen in six years when the VAT, housing and utilities bills, petrol prices and other expenditure go up? In 6 years time we will get 100 or 150 US dollars. Do our ministers and the President really think the pensioners will be able to afford to travel?

We all understand that this pension reform is a robbery. Our president proved that he is unable to create a modern economy. He said that the easiest thing was not to change anything. This is exactly what the government is doing. However, our country does need changes. We do not need a fake pension reform, but budget and economic reforms and fighting corruption. We need a political reform for this to happen. We need free competitive elections, alteration of power, accountability of government to people.

If you want to express your point of view about the pension reform, please come to the rally which Yabloko will organise together with independent trade unions in Moscow on 2 September. Similar protests will take place across Russia.