Armenia`s Trade Unions Head: Changes in working hours will not impact  the country`s economic growth 

ArmInfo.Despite the current work schedule in Armenia, economic growth remains insignificant. Even  with the increase in the gross domestic product (GDP), the country's residents do not feel its positive impact on their lives as stated by Helen Manasaryan, the Chairperson of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia, at a press conference discussing the risks of switching from an eight-hour to a seven-hour workday.

Manasaryan pointed out that risks can arise within an eight-hour  workday as well and are not necessarily linked to its reduction. She  emphasized that the issue is much broader: under the current work  format, employers do not always follow the designated hours, leading  many citizens to work longer, without their overtime hours being  properly recorded.  Speaking about the fact that many consider the  issue of the consumer basket and minimum wage in Armenia to be more  pressing, Manasaryan emphasized that the discussion of each of these  problems is important. It is impossible to single out any of them as  a higher priority.

In turn, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Ruben Sargsyan,  discussing the introduction of such a working format without  preliminary research and considering Armenia's conditions, noted that  working hours are even extended in some countries, reflecting the  diversity of global practices. When questioned about the lack of a  study before implementing the draft law, the Deputy Minister  clarified that not all projects that are discussed or submitted for  consideration should be based on an analysis of the local situation,  when there are successful models in more developed countries.