Friday, October 31 2014

The government will adopt a fair and mutually acceptable decision on the law "On temporary incapacity for work", Armenia's Labor Minister, Artem Asatryan, told journalists today. 

He said that the earlier submitted draft law faced a stormy protest of the society. "We also share anxiety about protection of interests of the working mothers. Their interests will not be ignored. The relevant machineries will adopted soon to withdraw all the risks and threats. The draft law with new alterations will be ready in 2-3 days", - the minister promised. 

Yesterday, Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian  instructed his government to redraft controversial amendments to a law that originally envisaged substantial cuts in maternity leave benefits paid by the state. 

The amendments sparked protests among young women and activists many of whom rallied outside the government and parliament buildings earlier this month. The protesters, some of them pregnant, demanded that the Armenian government annul its recent decision to seek corresponding amendments to a law that entitles pregnant working women to financial support during 140 days preceding and following the birth of a child.

The law currently stipulates that the monthly allowances must fully match the salaries of women employed by public or private entities. The government bill submitted to the parliament this month would cut their amount by at least 20 percent. Pregnant women with work experience of up to 1 and 3 years would be paid sums equivalent to only 40 percent and 60 percent of their wages respectively. 
"As a result of numerous discussions it has become clear that there is, indeed, dissatisfaction around this issue. I think in this bill we should do everything to ensure that not a single pregnant woman suffers losses. Take it as a basis," Prime Minister Abrahamian said at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, addressing his words to Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatrian.

"The public should know that the government will not take any step that would harm pregnant women," the head of the government emphasized. "I think that the draft law must consider the following principle: not a single working pregnant woman should suffer losses because of the law."
On July 1 2015 the minimum wage will be increased from 50,000 AMD to 55,000 AMD. 

The average social benefit will be increased by 1,000 AMD to 30,500 AMD. In 2015 the Government will allocate 38.4bln AMD for benefits against 37bln AMD this year. Childbirth benefits will not be changed (50,000 AMD for first and second child and 1mln AMD for third and fourth child).
The average pension will be increased from 36,000 AMD to 41,000. For reserve officers it will make up 57,000 AMD against current 49,000 AMD.