Press Release, 5.05.2020

The Governor must consider provision of benefits to pensioners, especially for those whose pension is less than the subsistence minimum established in the Omsk region. Such a proposal was sent by the Omsk regional branch of the Yabloko party to Alexander Burkov, Governor of the region.

“In view of the spread of the new coronavirus infection, in particular in the Omsk region, which is already depressed, the average pensioner who has no benefits and other payments cannot currently live a month on his pension. And self-isolation for low-income people is an additional expense, since essential goods have to be bought near the house, and there are not always low prices in such shops. It is also worth noting that prices of medicines and food-stuffs have risen,” said Tatyana Nagibina, Chair of the Omsk branch of Yabloko.

Activists of the Omsk regional branch of the party say that some Russian regions have already adopted new measures of material support for the population, including assigning social benefits to some categories of citizens. The amount of such payments varies: from 2,000 to 4,000 roubles depending on the place of residence of the person. Such support measures are in place in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tyumen and other cities, where all pensioners who are at home in self-isolation are paid up to 4,000 roubles as means of support and compensation for additional costs.

It should be noted that Yabloko forwarded to the President, government and parliament a package of its proposals with urgent measures to support people, workers and private businesses in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The party also calls on the President and government to expand the list of supported NGOs.

In addition, the party Chairman Nikolai Rybakov sent letters to the Governors of more than 20 Russian regions urging them to redirect funds allocated for campaigning for amendments to the Constitution to fight against coronavirus.