Press release, 25.04.2016

On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Moscow YABLOKO conducted a rally against the cut of children allowance for the Chernobyl victims’ families. The actions of protest were held by YABLOKO in Moscow and other cities of Russia.

“According to academician Alexei Yablokov, over 400 million people were affected by the Chernobyl disaster. But the way the government treats the victims and those who live in the Chernobyl zone can be called inattentive and even contemptuous. Our main task is to prevent the allowance cut,” First Deputy Chair of Moscow YABLOKO Galina Mikhaleva said.

On 1 January 2016, the law concerning benefits and allowances for the residents of the territories damaged by the accident at the Chernobyl power plant will come into effect. Before the law was adopted, the resdidents received children allowence in the sum of 80 per cent of a parent’s average monthly wage. The allowence was paid upon the attainment of the age of 3. Now the payment will be divided into two periods. The allowence will make 40 per cent of a parent’s average monthly wage plus three thousand roubles until a child turns 1,5 years. From the age of 1,5 to 3 the allowence will make 6 thousand roubles a month.

Moreover, the length of residency requirements will be introduced as well.

YABLOKO calls the society to sign the petition in support of the Chernobyl victims’ families on https://www.roi.ru/24674/.

YABLOKO claims that a broad public campaign will help to avoid social benefits cutting during the crisis period.