IMPROVEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT REGISTRATION FIELD UNDERWAY

Noyan Tapan
Aug 23 2006

YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, NOYAN TAPAN. It is not ruled out that the 101.8%
increase in the average monthly nominal salary in the trade and
public catering sectors in January-May 2006 was conditioned by an
extension in the employment and payment registration field of these
sectors. This opinion was expressed by the Head of the RA National
Statistical Service (NSS) Stepan Mnatsakanian.

Responding to a question of NT correspondent, he said that it is
possible that based on the data of the researches on unregistered
employment and "shadow" payments, the respective bodies are
taking various administrative measures aimed at improving the
registration field. According to official statistics, in 2005, the
hidden employemnt made up 22.9% against 22.6% in 2001. In 2005, the
unregistered self-employed and those employed by employers engaged in
unregistered activities accounted for 6.7% of the total number of the
employed against 12.3% in 2001, while the self-employed and employers
engaged in unregistered activities accounted for 69.1% of the total
number against 91.1%. On the other hand, the hired workers employed
based on a verbal agreement accounted for 16.2% of the total number
of the employed in 2005 against 10.3% in 2001, and for 25.54% of the
total number of hired workers against 15% in 2001. It was noted that
the level of unemployment declined from 38.4% in 2001 to 31.3% in 2005.