Great surprise awaiting pregnant women
A great surprise is awaiting Armenian employees who are going to take maternity leave.
The recently adopted amendments to the Law on Temporary Disability Benefits do not "promise a brilliant future" for pregnant women who receive high salaries.
A few days after the enactment of the law, the Heritage Parliamentary group urged President Serzh Sargsyan to recall the law but so far the party has received no answer.
Under the disputed amendments, women will henceforth be paid for the maternity leave instead of the present 140 days envisaged by law.
"The benefits are very important for a family which is expecting a new child. The reduction is not permissible, hence we demand to recall the law," Heritage MP Zaruhi Postanjyan told A1+.
Deputy Minister for Labour and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan believes that there is no cause for concern, since the amendments do not conflict with international conventions. Besides, the law covers only employees who receive a salary of AMD 162 500 and more.
According to the deputy minister, the amendments will affect only 5% of women.
