The state does not have information about almost 150 thousand pensioners living in the uncontrolled territory of Donbass - the minister Lazebna

The Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Maryna Lazebna states that the state does not have information about almost 150 thousand pensioners living in the temporarily occupied territory of Donbass.

"As of 2014, there (in the uncontrolled territory of Donbass - IF) were 1.2 million retirees. And 90% of them at least once in six years applied for pensions. Information about the remaining almost 150 thousand people we do not have. I talked with some international organizations to help us find such people, maybe even transport them. We would lend a helping hand to them, the state is ready to take care of them: to restore the pension, to provide rehabilitation, "Lazebna said.

The Minister stressed that the state makes all card payments to all people listed in the register.

"There are laws of Ukraine, resolutions according to which people have to come, and we pay pensions and all payments to all those who applied. The only difficulty is the need for verification. We are currently thinking about improving and simplifying the mechanism for people receiving accrued benefits," she added. .

Asked about people who did not receive a pension, whether they would keep their pensions for the whole period after deoccupation, and how they would be paid, Lazebna stressed that this was a political decision.

"When the Ukrainian government is established in that territory, we will take these people under our care and develop enhanced social mechanisms," the minister said.

In addition, Lazebna considers important, complex and requiring an individual approach to each case, the issue of insurance experience of those who work in the occupied territories.

"There are options and mechanisms for confirming seniority, preferential accounting. But we need to think about it," she added.

As reported, the UN Monitoring Mission for Human Rights in Ukraine states that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada must ensure the payment of pensions to residents in the non-government-controlled territory of Donbass.