The Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (CFTUU) has called on President Viktor Yanukovych to veto a law on pension reform, otherwise it will seek its cancellation "by all available means."
"The Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine believes that the law approved by parliament during a night session is illegal, as all studies show that it is supported by only a few percent of citizens. And from a legal point of view, the law is illegitimate, because it contradicts the constitution, in particular, Article 22 of the Constitution of Ukraine," the confederation said in a statement.
The organization called on the head of state to veto the law on measures to ensure the reform of the pension system.
"If the law is signed, the CFTUU reserves its right to fight the introduction of the unpopular provisions of pension reform in Ukraine by all available means," reads the statement.
The confederation noted that the parliament had supported only seven amendments to the document, while the remaining amendments "submitted to the pension reform bill during many months of so-called national discussion with trade unions, veterans, Chornobyl cleanup workers, teachers, doctors and ordinary citizens, were rejected."
In addition, the organization does not support the idea of raising the retirement age to a supposedly "European" level, as the quality of life and medical services in Ukraine cannot be compared to those in other countries.
Some 8.5 million retirees in Ukraine currently receive less than Hr 1,000, while 3,850 retirees get more than Hr 10,000, the confederation added.
The confederation believes that the current pension system has to be reformed and considers that the path chosen by Ukraine is a mistake, reads the statement.
