Minister defends payment of bonuses to low and middle level government employees
03.12.2020,
15:29
Armenia's recently appointed Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Mesrop Arakelyan defended today his decision to pay bonuses to middle and lower level employees, when asked by journalists about its expediency as the nation is faced with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and the Karabakh war.
YEREVAN, December 3. /ARKA/. Armenia's recently appointed Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Mesrop Arakelyan defended today his decision to pay bonuses to middle and lower level employees, when asked by journalists about its expediency as the nation is faced with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and the Karabakh war.
According to the minister, many middle and low level employees receive very low salaries, and the bonus should be viewed as not a bonus, but as a supplemental wage.
“Many employees worked very hard during the period of coronavirus pandemic and the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. I think there is a need for additional remuneration for some employees,” Arakelyan said.
As for the top officials of the ministry, Arakelyan said neither he nor any of them was paid bonuses and will not be paid for some time.
The question of bonuses paid to government officials is a topic of active public discussions in the country. The draft 2021 state budget has earmarked 19 billion drams as bonuses, which, according to many people is inappropriate in the current conditions. The authorities support the idea of paying bonuses to employees, citing their low salaries. -0-
According to the minister, many middle and low level employees receive very low salaries, and the bonus should be viewed as not a bonus, but as a supplemental wage.
“Many employees worked very hard during the period of coronavirus pandemic and the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. I think there is a need for additional remuneration for some employees,” Arakelyan said.
As for the top officials of the ministry, Arakelyan said neither he nor any of them was paid bonuses and will not be paid for some time.
The question of bonuses paid to government officials is a topic of active public discussions in the country. The draft 2021 state budget has earmarked 19 billion drams as bonuses, which, according to many people is inappropriate in the current conditions. The authorities support the idea of paying bonuses to employees, citing their low salaries. -0-
