Ulaanbaatar
National forum discusses seniors’ issues
SocietyUlaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ National forum ‘Rights, Employment, Social guarantee of Elders’ was opened today at the State House. On the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the establishment of Mongolian senior citizens' organization, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare and the Mongolian Elders' Union are organizing the forum under the auspices of Prime Minister J.Erdenebat.
Speaker of Parliament M.Enkhbold noted in his greeting that current Parliament, which was formed as a result of the 2016 Elections, has paid special attention to approve new law and regulations to protect elders’ rights.
“- The Parliament approved amendments to the law on Social protection of Elders and legalized a twice a year grant for elders. We will strive to increase the grant amount and allotment in the future. We also have achieved our goal to reduce the interest rate of pension-guaranteed loan, as we promised during elections and its annual interest of 18 per cent has been lowered to 15 per cent. Further, ‘State policy on elders’ document is planned to be approved to address issues of social and health of elders in complex’ said the speaker.
Some 500 delegates from the capital and 21 aimags and representatives from ministries, agencies, NGO’s and international organizations attended the forum.
5.5 thousand seniors have got loans of MNT6.1 billion since the loan interest had been lowered. And 12.8 thousand seniors have chosen commercial banks themselves, where they get their pensions, as a result of changed system, said Minister of Labor and Social Protection N.Nomtoibayar. Prior to the change, pensions of all elders were used to transfer to the State Bank automatically.
