DEPUTIES COMPLAIN OF THEIR SALARIES
/10/parlament
10/12/09
Armenian parliamentarians do not expect to get a Christmas bonus or
the so-called "13th salary" this year. They say their monthly salary
of 300 000 drams is not enough to do Christmas shopping.
"Bonuses (which are usually equal to a deputy’s salary) are given by
a decision of the NA Speaker. I don’t know whether anything has been
planned for this year or not," said freelance MP Victor Dallakyan.
Republican MP Arman Sahakyan said deputies hadn’t received the bonus
the previous year either.
Asked whether his salary is enough for New Year expenses, Mr. Sahakyan
replied, "I usually see New Year in with my family in somewhere in
Armenia. If you have a look at Yerevan shops and supermarkets, I think
you will be convinced that people are able to afford everything with
their salary. The huge amount of goods makes me think in this way."
On the other hand, the Republican parliamentary underlined that
salaries in Armenia are not enough to lead a normal life.
"Then how does a Republican MP live on a salary?" A1+ observed.
"I just have a cultural business and run a studio -"Ardeni".
Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan also spends the
holiday in Armenia. He is not content with his salary either. "Since we
are a traditional family we always lay a big table full of different
Armenian dishes. Many people call on us on holidays. My best gift of
the year was my second child," said Mr. Ashotyan.
By the way, the Ministry has economized money to give its employees
the 13th salary.