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WE ARE READY TO REVISE MATERNITY PAYS, SAYS SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER
11:38 * 20.10.14
Armenia's minister of labor and social affairs says the Government
is ready to revise the proposedamendments to the Law Temporary
Unemployability Benefits to consider the expediency of increasing
unemployed women's maternity pays at the expense of working mothers.
"I think if there are proposals, discussions are the right way to
[consider them]. As we have planned public debates, any proposal stems
from our objectives interests. Hence it is important to consider
those proposals and adopt decisions based on them," Artem Asatryan
told Tert.am, adding that he doesn't see any logic about the reported
plans for a protest.
The minister said the Government is open and ready for discussions,
even though the amounts of salary deductions haven't been determined
yet.
The bill proposes renaming "temporary unemployability benefits"
"maternity leave pays" to reduce the monthly salary compensations
for working pregnant women. Starting from 2016, the money will also
be given to unemployed mothers.
Under the legislation in effect, the compensation is given only to
employed women on maternity leave (whose number, according to the
Ministry, is 13,000, as opposed to the 30,000 mothers who do not work).
Asked about the unacceptability of such a measure for working mothers,
Asatryan said they first need coordinated activities with Ministry
specialists to understand to what degree the justification behind
the proposal.
"If we pass laws on which we did not have proposals during debates and
hear complaints only after the adoption, it is unacceptable," he added.
The minister further disagreed to the allegations that the measure is
an attempt to make women decide on maternity well in advance before
falling pregnant.
"With this proposal, we only broaden the framework, so I don't think
that any definition provided within the frameworks of this law is
targeted against something. I consider this a subjective opinion,"
he added.
According to the Ministry's estimates, the maternity pay for employed
women has increased by four times to 12 billion Drams ($30,000). In
case of 100% compensation, the amount is likely to increase to 30
million Drams until 2025.
The estimated salary compensations, given to women on maternity leave
is below 100% in other world countries. The amount is 50% in Austria
and 60% in Belgium; in Bulgaria it is 80.
Armenia's National Assembly is now planning debates future to consider
the acceptability of the measure.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/10/20/pregnancy-armenia/
11:38 * 20.10.14
Armenia's minister of labor and social affairs says the Government
is ready to revise the proposedamendments to the Law Temporary
Unemployability Benefits to consider the expediency of increasing
unemployed women's maternity pays at the expense of working mothers.
"I think if there are proposals, discussions are the right way to
[consider them]. As we have planned public debates, any proposal stems
from our objectives interests. Hence it is important to consider
those proposals and adopt decisions based on them," Artem Asatryan
told Tert.am, adding that he doesn't see any logic about the reported
plans for a protest.
The minister said the Government is open and ready for discussions,
even though the amounts of salary deductions haven't been determined
yet.
The bill proposes renaming "temporary unemployability benefits"
"maternity leave pays" to reduce the monthly salary compensations
for working pregnant women. Starting from 2016, the money will also
be given to unemployed mothers.
Under the legislation in effect, the compensation is given only to
employed women on maternity leave (whose number, according to the
Ministry, is 13,000, as opposed to the 30,000 mothers who do not work).
Asked about the unacceptability of such a measure for working mothers,
Asatryan said they first need coordinated activities with Ministry
specialists to understand to what degree the justification behind
the proposal.
"If we pass laws on which we did not have proposals during debates and
hear complaints only after the adoption, it is unacceptable," he added.
The minister further disagreed to the allegations that the measure is
an attempt to make women decide on maternity well in advance before
falling pregnant.
"With this proposal, we only broaden the framework, so I don't think
that any definition provided within the frameworks of this law is
targeted against something. I consider this a subjective opinion,"
he added.
According to the Ministry's estimates, the maternity pay for employed
women has increased by four times to 12 billion Drams ($30,000). In
case of 100% compensation, the amount is likely to increase to 30
million Drams until 2025.
The estimated salary compensations, given to women on maternity leave
is below 100% in other world countries. The amount is 50% in Austria
and 60% in Belgium; in Bulgaria it is 80.
Armenia's National Assembly is now planning debates future to consider
the acceptability of the measure.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/10/20/pregnancy-armenia/