OREANDA-NEWS. May 19, 2009. The Gov’t has made significant steps in the issues of social protection of Ukrainians working abroad. It was announced during a media conference on the outcomes of the visit of Italy, Spain and Portugal by the head of Board of the Pension Fund of Ukraine Olexii Zarudnyi.

He reminded from 2004 an actuarial system has acted which envisages voluntary payment of actuarial dues to the Pension Fund for labour migrants. But, as Olexii Zarudnyi explained, a mechanism of applying this norm has been complicated as the beneficiaries had to return to Ukraine, submit an application to the Pension Fund, to execute a contract and other documents.

“For now, pursuant to the decisions endorsed by the Government, this procedure has been simplified maximally. From now on a person working abroad can just telephone to the Pension Fund, inform personal data, say about a wish to pay dues and then he or she becomes an insured person,” O.Zarudnyi explained and added this person will be given necessary data, number of account, registration number and in such a way he will have a right for retirement protection.

The telephone by which one can register in the Pension Fund is 8 (044) 281 08 58, available on Monday-Friday from 8:00 till 20:00, on Saturday – from 8:00 till 14:00.

According to the head of Board of the Pension Fund, a minimal due amounts UAH 208 per month (around Eur 20). If one desires to receive a bigger pension than the minimal one, this due can be higher.

Moreover, Olexii Zarudnyi imparted there exists Agreement in the area of social protection with Spain, similar Agreement with Portugal has been prepared for signing, within nearest time Ukraine will initiate signing of such document with Italy. According to the head of the Pension Fund, these instruments envisage mutual recognition of seniority of labour migrants. “It means a person working in Spain, having seniority service in Ukraine during which he or she was paying dues, will receive pension in the country where he or she is working as his or her seniority is recognized in that country,” Olexii Zarudnyi explained.