Poverty benefits system must be revised: parliament committee chairman says
13.12.2011,
23:57
Hakob Hakobyan, chairman of an Armenian parliament committee on social affairs, called today for revision of the national legislation on payment of social benefits to poor families, saying at an event ahead of parliamentary hearings on defense of children
YEREVAN, December 13. /ARKA/. Hakob Hakobyan, chairman of an Armenian parliament committee on social affairs, called today for revision of the national legislation on payment of social benefits to poor families, saying at an event ahead of parliamentary hearings on defense of children rights that the revised law must clearly specify the segment of the population who are really eligible to government assistance.
"I believe that the unemployed citizens who physically are able to work should work and pay taxes, so that the government has enough funds to assist unsecured and disabled children", Hakobyan said.
According to the ministry of labour and social affairs, 93,100 families in Armenia receive social (poverty) benefits, which in 2010 was 26,853 drams.
The chairman of another parliament committee on health, maternity and childhood, Ara Babloyan, said the rights of mothers and children are quite well protected, in spite of some existing gaps in health care.
"I am pleased to point out that health care for mothers and children is free," said Babloyan.
According to a survey of the the National Statistical Service, more than 40 percent of children in Armenia lived below the official poverty line last year. The figure was based on a household income survey conducted across the country. A separate report publicized by it last week put the nationwide poverty rate at 36 percent, up from 28 percent registered in 2009. Some 27,000 children were extremely poor, according to the survey. -0-
"I believe that the unemployed citizens who physically are able to work should work and pay taxes, so that the government has enough funds to assist unsecured and disabled children", Hakobyan said.
According to the ministry of labour and social affairs, 93,100 families in Armenia receive social (poverty) benefits, which in 2010 was 26,853 drams.
The chairman of another parliament committee on health, maternity and childhood, Ara Babloyan, said the rights of mothers and children are quite well protected, in spite of some existing gaps in health care.
"I am pleased to point out that health care for mothers and children is free," said Babloyan.
According to a survey of the the National Statistical Service, more than 40 percent of children in Armenia lived below the official poverty line last year. The figure was based on a household income survey conducted across the country. A separate report publicized by it last week put the nationwide poverty rate at 36 percent, up from 28 percent registered in 2009. Some 27,000 children were extremely poor, according to the survey. -0-
