The continuation of pension reform should be the main task for the government in 2010, according Serhiy Tihipko, a banker who has announced his intention to run for the Ukrainian presidency.
“Ukrainians live 10-15 years less than Europeans, and 30% of our men
don’t live until pension age. It is immoral to raise the pension age in
such conditions,” Tihipko’s press office reported.
“One of the government’s main tasks for 2009 is the rapid
implementation of the second level of the pension system, in which part
of the funds are accumulated on personal accounts,” the politician said.
According to Tihipko, the authorities should strengthen the control
over enterprises where wages are still being paid “in envelopes” or
unofficially.
“It is necessary to make businessmen responsible – to reduce the tax pressure – but demand all payments be official,” he said.
The second level of pension reform in Ukraine was planned for 2005.
However it was postponed until 2008, and was not carried out last year.
