In Yerevan, scientists protest against threat of mass layoffs

250 researchers from the Yerevan State University (known as YeSU) will lose part of their income and other 200 will lose their jobs due to the fact that the Armenian Cabinet of Ministers revised the financing of scientific projects, scientists state. They believe the government's decision contradicts the law and threaten to hold protest actions.

Under the new rules, the basic financing of universities will be provided by grants based on a tender announced by the Science Committee of the Armenian Ministry for Public Education, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was explained by Gevorg Emin-Teryan, the press secretary of the YeSU's Rector.

"The government's decision will deprive 450 people of the source of income and the opportunity to do science, and 200 people will become unemployed," the press secretary noted.

Earlier, the YeSU Scientific Council has addressed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with an appeal stating that the government's decision contradicts the law. The basic funding should be of long-term nature for the development of science, and grant programmes have been used for a long time and further stimulate it, the scientists state in their appeal.