MINISTRY OF LABOR AND SOCIAL ISSUES DEVELOPS DRAFT LAW ON COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF MINIMUM SUBSISTENCE BASKET AND ON MINIMUM SUBSISTENCE BUDGET

Noyan Tapan

Se p 10, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA ministry of labor and
social issues is developing a draft law on the composition and
structure of the minimum subsistence basket and on the minimum
subsistence budget. The minister Arsen Hambartsumian said at the
September 10 press conference that it will allow the government to
establish proportions between the amounts of all social payments
and the minimum subsistence budget. As a result, according to him,
an attempt will be made to increase gradually all the social payments.

The minister noted that they have much to do in the employment
sphere. There is a great disproportion between demand and supply
in the labor market, and the level of unemployement continues to
be high in the country. In his words, although by official data,
the unemployment makes 6.4%, by unofficial estimates, it reaches
20-30%. He expressed an opinion that the implementation of programs
on active employment may help achieve good results in this issue.

The minister attached importance to the development and implementation
of various social programs on improvement of the demographic
situation in the country. He informed those present that a month ago a
demographic group was created at the ministry with the aim of working
out a state policy in this direction. A concept of demographic policy
will be soon submitted to the government for approval.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress