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ARMENIAN WOMEN PROTEST CONTROVERSIAL MATERNITY PAY BILL - PHOTOS
15:15 * 23.10.14
A crowd of women protested outside the Government on Thursday to raise
their voice of anger against a controversial legal measure proposing
higher maternity benefits for unemployed women at the expense of
working mothers.
In a letter submitted to the executive, the women have covered all
the points which they believe were proposed in violation of Armenia's
Constitution and other legal acts, including international agreements.
Anna Nikoghosyan, a programs manager from the local NGO Society without
Violence, said the appeal urges the Government to refrain from the
proposed amendments to the Law on Temporary Unemplayability Benefits.
"Under the bill, the benefit a woman receives for a 140-day pre-
and post-natal leave is calculated based on the length of service
in the last workplace. So in case that period is one year or less,
she will get a benefit in the amount of 40% of the [monthly] salary,"
she said, noting that the money will amount to 60%-80% of the salary
in case the length of service is up to three years.
Speaking to Tert.am, a civic activist who identified herself as Tatev
said the Republic of Armenia should not permit the passage of a law
that may affect a woman's decision to have a child.
"This law will affect employed women's decision, as it is expected to
cut their income. But that violates the equality between men and women
in terms of the opportunity to work. A woman must not be deprived of
her entire salary in order to bear a child," she complained.
The activist added that today's protest was only the first step of
their civic campaign. "We are launching a petition to find out how many
citizens will be against. Parliamentary hearings are due on Monday,
so we will join it to carry our struggle through," she added.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/10/23/mother-armenia/
15:15 * 23.10.14
A crowd of women protested outside the Government on Thursday to raise
their voice of anger against a controversial legal measure proposing
higher maternity benefits for unemployed women at the expense of
working mothers.
In a letter submitted to the executive, the women have covered all
the points which they believe were proposed in violation of Armenia's
Constitution and other legal acts, including international agreements.
Anna Nikoghosyan, a programs manager from the local NGO Society without
Violence, said the appeal urges the Government to refrain from the
proposed amendments to the Law on Temporary Unemplayability Benefits.
"Under the bill, the benefit a woman receives for a 140-day pre-
and post-natal leave is calculated based on the length of service
in the last workplace. So in case that period is one year or less,
she will get a benefit in the amount of 40% of the [monthly] salary,"
she said, noting that the money will amount to 60%-80% of the salary
in case the length of service is up to three years.
Speaking to Tert.am, a civic activist who identified herself as Tatev
said the Republic of Armenia should not permit the passage of a law
that may affect a woman's decision to have a child.
"This law will affect employed women's decision, as it is expected to
cut their income. But that violates the equality between men and women
in terms of the opportunity to work. A woman must not be deprived of
her entire salary in order to bear a child," she complained.
The activist added that today's protest was only the first step of
their civic campaign. "We are launching a petition to find out how many
citizens will be against. Parliamentary hearings are due on Monday,
so we will join it to carry our struggle through," she added.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/10/23/mother-armenia/