13 April 2011, 18:00
Adam Martyniuk: The Law obliges the State to return Labour Savings to the Citizens
"No other issue is as topical for Ukrainian people as reimbursement of depreciated or lost savings, since this matter concerns most Ukrainians", Adam Martyniuk, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, declared, opening the parliamentary hearings "On State Policy regarding Reimbursement and Compensation of Lost (Depreciated) Savings."
"According to the Register of Savers, this issue concerns 11,8 million Ukrainian citizens. They are waiting for the state to return their labor savings", specified A. Martyniuk.
The First Deputy Chairman reminded, "In November 1996, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law of Ukraine "On State Guarantees of Reimbursement and Recovery of Ukrainian Citizens´ Savings", which obliges the state to return labor savings and cover compensation expenses.
A. Martyniuk explained, "According to the Cabinet of Ministers, only UAH 10 billion out of the total sum of state obligations comprising UAH 130 billion has been returned for 15 years. Thus, UAH 120 billion is to be returned to the citizens. It is an enormous sum."
"Considering index adjustment and inflation rate since the year 1996, the state needs to return not 121 billion but more than a trillion", A. Martyniuk admitted. "Given the state budget, it is impossible. Moreover, the Law on State Budget for 2011 does not allocate any funds to cover the depreciated savings.
According to A. Martyniuk, "The situation can still be changed." He expects the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to scrutinize the amendments to the State Budget for 2011 shortly.
"The State Budget for 2011 is exceeded, so the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry on Finance, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and subject parliamentary committees shall find funds to implement the program on savings reimbursement and compensation of lost (depreciated) citizens´ savings," the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed. "I hope that the Cabinet of Ministers will facilitate amending of this Law further to the today's parliamentary hearings."