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New Turkmen leader to restore pensions

19 Mar 2007 13:53:04 GMT
Source: Reuters

ASHGABAT, March 19 (Reuters) - Turkmen leader Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov will restore all pension payments in the Central Asian nation, scrapping one of his predecessor's harshest reforms.

Saparmurat Niyazov, who died in December, ordered big cuts in state pensions in early 2006, robbing many elderly people of their sole source of income.

Berdymukhamedov, who came to power after Niyazov's death, has signed into law new rules restoring pensions for eligible citizens from the second half of 2007.

The new code, published by official media on Monday, also restores maternity payments.

Niyazov built an exotic personality cult during his 21 year rule and styled himself Turkmenbashi, or Father of all Turkmen.

"According to new rules, pensions will be given regardless of length of service," said a social affairs ministry official. "Those who did not work at all will also get social benefits."

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Last updated:Mon Mar 19 13:53:35 2007