16 June 2011, 18:08
Speaking about the draft pension reform, Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, declared that the Government failed to present the strategy of the state development, so pension reform cannot be implemented under such conditions. "In all the civilized states, pension reform is a result of the socio-economic reforms. It never happens that the pension reform comes first, as it is the last step", he added.
M. Tomenko emphasized that no working places were created last year. Moreover, their number fell in all regions due to adoption of the Tax Code.
The Deputy Chairman also reminded that average life expectancy in Ukraine is by 13-14 per cent shorter than in Europe, while the Government takes no measures to improve the situation. "It is the first time for the years of independence that no funds have been allocated to develop physical culture, sport infrastructure for children and their health improvement", stated M. Tomenko.
Among the priority measures, the Deputy Chairman singled out legalization of economy. He reminded that according to the figures from a recent opinion poll, 49% of the citizens informed that they or their friends receive illegal payments in cash.
M. Tomenko believes that the reform will not be successful, unless people support the authorities and respect them. He also reminded that according to the opinion surveys, only 17% of the citizens trust the Government, while 75% - do not believe it at all. Moreover, 95% of the Ukrainian citizens are against increasing the retirement age.