Armenia’s further economic development requires stable labor market

YEREVAN, December 18. /ARKA/. Armenia’s further economic development requires a stable labor market, RA Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Aghvan Vardanyan stated at the forum “Armenia’s labor market: challenges and trends”.

“It is obvious that we cannot expect further economic development without a stable and balanced labor market. This is possible provided a universal education and employment policy is elaborated and equal regional development is ensured,” the Minister said.

Vardanyan pointed out that 7% average unemployment in Armenia, whereas this index is at least twice as high in some of Armenia’s regions. Among serious problems are also internal and external labor migration, low rural employment, disproportion between the demand and supply on the labor market.

“It is no secret that a considerable part of Armenia’s labor force lost its professionalism as a result of changes in the economic structure and needs retraining,” Vardanyan said.

In this context he stressed the necessity for a planned management of the sphere and a government policy. “This will allow us to ensure stable economic development and raise the population’s living standards,” Vardanyan said.
 
The elaboration of the strategy of stable development of the labor and social protection system is incorporated in the RA Government’s program for 2008-2010 as one of the priorities. The RA Government’s program of action for 2008-2010 approved on June 26, 2007, envisages a 10% increase in urban employment and the creation of 105,000 jobs.

The RA Statistical Service reports 7.2% unemployment in Armenia in January-October 2007 – a 0.4% decrease compared with January-October 2006.

According to the official information, 964 vacancies were advertised in Armenia late in October 2007, - 85 job-seekers per one vacancy. –0--