Armenian parliament adopts amendments to the law on maternity benefits

On Monday, the MPs of the National Assembly of Armenia adopted amendments to the legislation on maternity benefits in the second and final reading. Members of the factions of the ARF "Dashnaktsutyun", "Country of Law" and "Prosperous Armenia" refused to vote.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in early November, the Armenian government recalled the bill on maternity benefits.

The problem of benefits is a global one; and it demands serious debates, says Naira Zograbyan, the secretary of the "Prosperous Armenia".

Akop Akopyan, an MP from the ruling Republican Party, expressed his disagreement with Zograbyan's position. In his opinion, the law "has restrictions related to wives of high-ranking officials", who "will not receive such great sums."

Besides, according to Akopyan, the amendments stipulate payment of maternity benefits not only to working but also to unemployed mothers.

The "Rule of Law" Party has made a number of proposals, according to which "all pregnant women should be treated equally," said Egine Bisharyan, an MP from this party.

On October 23, in Yerevan, about 200 people came out to protest against the amendments adopted by the government on September 25. The authorities should not reduce benefits to working mothers in order to expand the total number of women receiving the benefit, the protesters believe and offer to find alternative sources for payments.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.