Turkmenistan’s state media continues to spread news about social guarantees for all strata of the population, but the reality is much heavier. The regulation that was to increase the benefit to 500 manat remains not implemented. Many are forced to ask their children for help, especially to buy medicine.
Ashgabat () – In Turkmenistan, representatives of the elderly population, retired after dozens of years of hard work, complain about the misery of what they have been given, as documented by an investigation by Radio Azatlyk. As an elderly resident of Ashgabat relates, after 35 years in the trade and with regular deductions from the pension fund, she now receives a monthly check of 372 manat, less than 100 euros (20 on the black market), which she cannot live on. more than two weeks.
Talking to several other people, it is understood that this is not an isolated case, but a very widespread situation, increasingly dramatic in the face of the continuous rise in prices and the economic crisis from which Turkmenistan cannot recover in any way, with the unstoppable devaluation of the local currency. Other interviewees say that they live “on the verge of starvation”, buying the simplest and cheapest food if possible, and continually asking their children for help, especially to buy the necessary medicines.
State media continue to spread news about social guarantees for all strata of the population by the government, which allow Turkmen citizens to “live a happy life.” The reality is much heavier, as pensioners tell us: “our children have their own families, and they are not much better off than us.” The Ashgabat government has approved a regulation guaranteeing a minimum pension of 500 manat from January 1, 2024, but apart from former members of law enforcement, others continue to receive much less than this amount.
For the allocation of pensions, only the contributions paid are calculated, and those of police officers can give rise to pensions of 800 to 1,400 manats, while for the others, amortizations and deductions are not taken into account for various reasons, leaving much to be desired. below the 500 promised, which would still not be a sufficient solution. The classifications of occupations and years of work, along with age (62 years for men, 57 for women) and the various levels of disability, remain fixed in very outdated parameters, and the possibilities of customizing the level of the pension with alternative criteria are scarce.
Last year, “tailored pension” measures were indeed announced for those who have made merits for Turkmenistan, but these privileges have remained exclusive to a few categories, from athletes to military personnel, and corrupt systems are often applied instead of merits.
The pensions are transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, who must also register every six months with the pension fund of their region of residence, creating further complications and delays. The Ministry of Labor and Social Defense refuses to respond to requests from citizens and journalists to clarify the numerous dark and contradictory points of the entire system.
However, on October 1, Older Persons’ Day was celebrated in Turkmenistan, and President Serdar Berdymuhamedov issued a congratulatory message to the country’s most “venerable” generations, highlighting their “fundamental role in ensuring peace and harmony.” in families, thanks to their wisdom, their advice and their support.
Photo: Flickr / Martha de Jong-Lantink
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