Asatryan: New law will not violate rights of working women

Armenian Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artyom Asatryan told journalists today that measures are being taken so that the changes to the Law on Temporary Disability Allowances will not violate rights of working women.

As was reported, the bill caused discontent among working women – by amendments to the law, it was planned to reduce maternity benefits of working women so as to pay benefits to nonworking women.

The minister stressed that the bill was only a proposal and it will be changed, taking into account the new public debates and proposals.

“We recently held substantive discussions with the participation of all the interested circles, including employers, beneficiaries, representatives of local government bodies and NGOs. Naturally, the bill we presented will also take into account the approaches and opinions expressed during parliamentary hearings,” the minister said.

“We are concerned that the rights of working pregnant women receiving an income will not be violated,” Asatryan noted.

Asked whether women with many years of service will continue to receive benefits in the amount of 100% of salary, the minister replied: “We are now finalizing the bill. It will be ready in 2-3 days. It will be submitted to the parliament’s standing committee on social affairs for discussion and then we will have definitive answers to all the questions”.