Protests by Russian pensioners appear to be paying off as they continue to stage demonstrations against social security reforms
Published:
22 January 2005 y., Saturday
Protests by Russian pensioners appear to be paying off as they continue to stage demonstrations against social security reforms. The Russian government is now acknowledging it made mistakes. President Vladimir Putin made concessions on Monday. And now the Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin - speaking in the Duma, the lower house of parliament - admitted the reform had not been handled well.
He said details had not been thought through properly and said he was prepared to take responsibility for any errors. Demonstrators in Moscow were among about 40 million people affected by the reforms which give the retired, the disabled, war veterans, and others cash payments for public transport and free medicine instead of benefits.
The benefits date back to the Soviet era. Authorities in many regions, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, have already restored free transport for the retired or offered subsidised travel passes.
Politicians from the Communist Party and the nationalist Homeland faction have called for the law to be suspended.
Russian parliamentarians in the Kremlin-controlled Duma have blocked the demands.
Šaltinis:
euronews.net
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) will, for the first time, open its doors in Vilnius on 16 December 2009.
more »
The European Commission has today launched a public consultation on the future of air passenger Rights and released a top 12 list of recommendations to guarantee travellers a safe and problem-free journey this Christmas.
more »
Japan's Toyota Motor announced that it will begin selling "plug-in" hybrid cars in mass volumes in two years' time.
more »
The first results of the latest Eurobarometer survey reveal that for Europeans unemployment is the most important issue facing their own country, while concerns about the economic situation have lessened slightly.
more »
The Human Rights Day focuses on non-discrimination with the motto “Embrace diversity, end discrimination”.
more »
With the season‘s holidays approaching DnB NORD Bankas issued the first gift card in Lithuania that allows the card holder to pay for the presents they enjoy in any shopping, entertainment or catering place where Maestro payment cards are accepted.
more »
Australian journalist Nigel Brennan was on his way to a camp in Somalia in August last year, to highlight the plight of the country's refugees, when he and his colleague, Amanda Lindhout were kidnapped by gunmen.
more »
Corruption remains an obstacle to development and threatens economic recovery. No country in the world is immune to corruption and that also applies to each of the 27 EU Member States.
more »
People across Europe should be encouraged to volunteer more to help themselves and the wider community, MEPs said in a resolution on 26 November.
more »
he heat is on for the UN's most senior climate official. Yvo de Boer , executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is optimistic the climate summit will produce a signed and seal deal.
more »