ArmInfo.From January 1, 2022, the minimum pension and benefits in Armenia will increase by 2,100 drams (about $ 4). The corresponding decision was approved on December 16 at a government meeting, the Ministry of Labor of Armenia reported on its Facebook page.
To note, the y-o-y inflation in Armenia amounted to 9.6%, with the target level of 4% (+/- 1.5%).
As Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan presenting the draft decision stated, starting next year, the minimum pension and benefits will increase from 26,500 drams (at the current exchange rate, slightly less than $ 55) 2,100 drams to 28,600 drams (slightly less than $ 60). Military disability pensions for conscripts will also grow: for disabled people of the first group - from 40 to 43 thousand drams, for the second group - from 30 to 33 thousand drams, for the third group- from 27 to 30 thousand drams.
In case of losing the breadwinner of the family of the deceased (deceased) conscript, the military pension will increase from 27 to 30 thousand drams.
From January 1, 2022, it is also planned to increase the amount of benefits for caring for a child up to 2 years old, old age, disability, in case of loss of a breadwinner, setting it at 28,600 drams, instead of the current 26,500 drams.
The amount of the allowance for about 8,500 children with disabilities since childhood will be increased from 26,500 to 37,000 drams.
The allowance for caring for a child under 2 years of age in rural areas will grow from 53 thousand drams to 57 200 thousand drams, regardless of whether the mother works or not.
According to the minister, at the next meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, a draft decision will be submitted for approval, within the framework of which the family, at the birth of the third and subsequent children until they reach the age of 6, will receive 50 thousand drams each month.
It should be noted, that the National Assembly of Armenia in July 2021 at an extraordinary meeting adopted a bill prepared by the pro-government deputies, according to which the size of the monthly amount allocated for the parliamentary expenses of each MP was increased from 50 thousand to 250 thousand drams. This amount is allocated to MPs separately from their salaries. The rationale for the project noted that the current regulation has not been revised since the adoption of the law, while over the years there has been a significant increase in costs. Acting Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan linked the need for the project with the need for more frequent and closer communication between the MPs and their voters. According to the co-author of the bill, MP of the ruling My Step faction Viktor Yengibaryan, their parliamentary experience has shown that the amount allocated for using various services is not enough. "We do not fit into 50 thousand," said Hovik Aghazaryan, MP of the ruling faction, adding that it is not necessary to go to the regions, communication with voters takes place in Yerevan, for example, in a cafe, where the MP must also pay the bill.
