Turkmen authorities provoke a social riot The degradation processes, initiated by the country’s leaders, are hampering the implementation of social and economic reforms and are accompanied by generally decreasing standards of living. Moreover, they cause disappointment by the residents in the economic policy pursued by President G. Berdymukhammedov. The citizens are especially annoyed with official measures designed to decrease the volume of domestic consumption of oil products in the midst of increased exports of energy supplies. Thus, since April 2013 the volume of domestic consumption of petroleum and fuel has gone down by 30%, due largely to the Presidential decree abolishing vouchers for 120 liters of free petroleum monthly to vehicle owners. At the same time, there is an acute shortage of cash in the banks of Turkmenistan. One of the reasons is the growing distrust of the population towards the country’s banking system. Currently the overwhelming majority of the residents prefer to keep their savings in “stockings” since financial institutions of the republic do not give cash to individuals. In the course of recent monitoring, local economists established that the main holdings of cash are in circulation in the country’s markets. To solve the problem the authorities have toughened measures by introducing non-cash payment terminals in all points of sale, which entrepreneurs have to buy at a cost of over 300 dollars. Where such terminals are missing, large fines are imposed on businessmen. Another cause of discontent of government employees is the compulsory “mortgage policy”, the implementation of which doesn’t take into account the financial resources of any given individual. For instance, pursuant to G. Berdymukhammedov’s decree and with a view of developing this area, staff of state-run organizations are urged to take out mortgage loans in a mandatory-voluntary mode, whereas the velayats distribute plots of land for construction of residential houses with the value of an apartment being estimated at about 40 thousand dollars. However, following instructions from higher-ranking authorities, the repayment period has been decreased from the customary 30 years to 3-4 years. Furthermore, since mortgage loans need to be paid back within specified time limits, applications for “mortgage houses” were accepted only from those employees of government agencies who have extensive work experience. Several employees with tenure of over 10 years refused to submit a mortgage application and were subsequently dismissed. The unemployment rate continues to grow which forces local residents to go abroad in search of seasonal jobs. Additionally, social unemployment benefits are virtually unpaid to the residents, because it is the intention of the Turkmen authorities to conceal this social phenomenon in the country. According to unofficial data, today at least 1 million people fall under this category. The Turkmen law enforcement agencies are taking measures to prevent residents from going abroad in large numbers in order to pursue employment opportunities. For example, in September alone, through various channels, about 4000 people (70% females), went abroad illegally from Mary velayat where the unemployment rate is 35-40%. A number of criminal groups who specialize in searching for and sending Turkmen girls abroad to engage in prostitution have been identified. The main customer for this “human commodity” from Turkmenistan remains Turkey where 700 to 1000 dollars is paid for every female. With a view to relieving social tension, all executives of local governments have been instructed to carry out preventive measures among the residents. In particular, the residents are informed that in case they leave the country, they are obliged to pay large amounts of money for the use of public utilities, gas and petrol at reduced rates for the entire period of stay in Turkmenistan. Thus, taking into account the current state and prospects of the socio-economic development in the country it should be highlighted that recently ordinary residents of Turkmenistan have become more pessimistic about improving their standards of living. This public sentiment is accompanied by a growing distrust by the population towards the country’s leaders who are simply concerned with their own material wealth and are unable to undertake appropriate steps to resolve the burning internal problems. #turkmenistan
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 14:18:19 +0000