Azernews.Az

By Gunay Hasanova

Armenians still protest against the controversial military benefits bill, which introduces a new tax that will impoverish the already poor people.

The bill recently approved by the parliament obliges every working Armenian citizen to contribute 1,000 drams (about $2) per month to the fund, from which the project will be financed.

For the Armenian worker earning minimum wage, $2 is a significant amount to be parsed out in a monthly tax, for which the person has not had a chance to budget.

A group of citizens on weekend went to streets in Yerevan to announce that “Armenia's corrupt authorities have now come up with a new plan to rip off the people in the name of soldiers.”

The protesters stated that this tax is nothing but cynicism and is meant to rip off the people in the name of soldiers. “A crime is being committed under the guise of helping Armenia's servicemen,” they said.

Moreover, graffiti “son died- paid off my duty” appeared in various parts of the city on Sunday. The following text was soon a spread through social networks:

“They get richer at our expense, they play politics at our expense, they rule over us at our own expense, and yet again, they want to do “good deeds” at our expense. They suggest that we donate a thousand drams not to make sure there is no need to die, but that we die worthlessly, that we do not think that we are shedding our blood for the sake of Sargsyans and other rich and powerful scum. They force us to pay money so that it was easier for them to deceive us.”

The essence of the law is that all the people who have suffered while serving in the Armed Forces of Armenia, fulfilling the will of the aggressive authorities and occupying lands from its real owner - Azerbaijan, will receive a small compensation for the crippled health and life.

Meanwhile, the economy of the country remains critical, demonstrating unbelievably low indices each year. Descending economy, high poverty and increasing outflow of people are the pure realities in Armenia, which lack any governmental scenario or program to change the situation.

Armenia’s external debt is growing, as well as the budget deficit. Moreover, the economic growth is significantly lower than it was foreseen. The state debt of Armenia has already amounted to $5.36 billion as of the end of the first half of 2016. The forecasted GDP in 2016 amounts to 5.443 trillion drams. Consequently, by the end of the first half-year, the national debt of Armenia made up 46.7 percent of GDP, which is quite risky for the country’s economy.

Despite different positive assurances from the government on achieving a stable situation in the country, the economy is continuing to fail.

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Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova

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