US$1.3 mln spent for introduction of pension payment card system in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, January 28, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Since January 1, more than 57,000 pensioners in Dushanbe, Kulob and Qurghon Teppa have used plastic cards to get their pensions, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Mahmadamin Mahmadaminov told reporters on January 26.
According to him, 1.3 million U.S. dollars have been spent for introduction of the pension payment card system (computers, installation of ATMs and post-terminals).
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection jointly with Tajikistan’s savings bank, Amonatbonk, has launched work on expanding the pension payment card system to the towns of Khorog, Khujand, Istaravshan, Isfara, Taboshar, Yovon, Norak, Vahdat and Tursunzoda. The system will target 100,000 pensioners in these towns, the minister said.
“The ministry also plans to introduce this system this year for payments for electricity usage and other services,” said Mahmadaminov, “Yovon and Istaravshan have been selected as pilot districts for this project.”
As of October 1, 2010, there were 561,547 pensioners in Tajikistan and average pension rate now is 130.00 somoni.