The government of Armenia discussed reforms in the system of social protection of citizens

ArmInfo. The reform of the  social protection system and the process of implementing programs in  this area were the subject of discussions during the April 6 meeting  with Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan.

According to the press service of the Armenian Government, in the  course of discussions, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem  Asatryan, speaking, in particular, of the ongoing reforms in the  sphere of protection of the rights of disabled people, noted that the  project is moving to an electronic system.  According to the  minister, it is planned to receive information on people with  disabilities from the electronic system of the Ministry of Health, to  carry out a complete reorganization of medical and social  commissions. Artem Asatryan added that the entire package of reforms  is planned to be introduced in November this year.

The Prime Minister of Armenia stressed the importance of the steps  taken in this area and stressed that they, first of all, should help  to increase the targeting of social assistance. At the same time,  Karen Karapetyan instructed to review the timing of the  implementation of the system.

With regard to reforms in the system of protection of children's  rights, it was reported at the meeting that their implementation  would be carried out by ensuring the rights of children to live in  families, creating and developing alternative childcare services. To  this end, during 2018 it is planned to introduce other forms of  caring for children and their upbringing, adoption, facilitation of  the guardianship process, expansion of guardianship families, and the  creation of small houses.

It was also reported at the meeting that new strategic approaches  were beginning to be applied in the sphere of employment. According  to those responsible for the sphere, the improvement of employment  indicators will be assisted and close cooperation with a number of  international organizations, with participation of which it is  planned to implement pilot programs, to organize courses for  retraining specialists of the state employment agency. It was noted  that during 2014-2017 68.5% of citizens registered with the agency  were provided with work.