On State Support for Pensioners

On 21 April, as part of system-based efforts to provide state support to the persons who have reached their retirement age (for men this is 60 years, for women 55 years), the President of the Republic of Belarus signed Decree No 227 envisaging provision of social support to this category of Belarusian citizens.

For the period of seasonal sowing and harvest campaigns, from 1 May until 1 October, 2008, pensioners will be entitled to a 50 per cent discount on the price of tickets for a journey by railway, water and motor general-use suburban-service public transport (except for taxi).

The Decree provides for no special mechanism of purchasing tickets: it will be possible for the afore-mentioned citizens to buy them at conventional ticket offices against their retirement certificates.

The Decree becomes effective on the day of its official publication – as from 22 April, 2008.