15 February 2011, 16:37
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, emphasized that retirement age should be discussed the last thing in the course of preparation of the pension reform in Ukraine, while "the approaches to the pension reform should be set first of all." The Head of the Parliament made this statement at the ceremony of awarding the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine decorations.
According to V. Lytvyn, the topic of retirement age will ‘disappear´, when those who are at the outset of their professional career have an opportunity "to count the outcome in the future."
V. Lytvyn reminded that the parliamentary hearings on the topic shall be held on Wednesday. He expected that they would not be reduced to sorting out the relationships. He deems necessary "not to demonstrate destructive criticism." "Everyone is aware of the fact that the situation with the Pension Fund is critical, as it requires extra funds at the rate of UAH 34,5 billion. However, we can not live according to the leveling principles we do have in the pension system; we shall adopt decisions", he emphasized, adding that this issue has political, social, and economic colouring.
The Head of the Parliament calls for employing the voluntary principle when defining the retirement age. He stressed that implementers of the pension reform should consider those who are at the outset of their professional career.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine presented the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Awards and Decorations to the People´s Deputies, scholars, teachers, health care specialists, Afghan veterans, and journalists.