Armenian Government refuses to increase minimum basic wage

ArmInfo. On April 28, the Armenian Government gave a negative conclusion on lawmaker Mikayel Melkumyan's bill implying a rise in the minimum basic wage from the current 55 thsd AMD to 65 thsd AMD starting from 1 July 2016.   

Armenian Minister of Labor and Social Issues Artem Asatryan said that according to the bill, if raised, the minimum basic wage also have to be brought in compliance with the hourly pay for the employees as well.

The minister said that as a rule, the minimum basis wage is raised with due regard for mid-term and long- term goals of the Government strategy. In 2013-2015, the minimum salary grew from 32.5 thsd AMD to 55 thsd AMD under the mid-term program of the Government, he said. 

Asatryan added that the minimum salary was to be raised to 60 thsd AMD on 1 July 2016, however, this task has been put off in the light of the current economic situation. The minister thinks the bill will result in nearly 13 bln AMD additional budget expenditures. "That being said, the Government objects to the adoption of the bill," Asatryan said.