The discussion was held within the framework of joint public awareness campaign on Labor Rights, in cooperation implemented by the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the OxYGen Foundation. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss issues related to labor rights together with civil society representatives and discuss the amendments and additions to the Labor Code of RA. “4Fem” Women’s Human Rights NGO also had representative in this discussion and tried to make active contribution to these legislative changes.
In the event took a part Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Arman Udumyan, Deputy Minister of Justice Tigran Khachikyan, National Assembly Deputies, International Labor Organization, Republican Union of Employers of Armenia and Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia.
Head of the Labor and Employment Department of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Zhora Sargsyan presented the gaps and problematic issues in the Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia by proposing amendments and supplements in articles which “create problems with misread,misunderstandings, not clear formulation.” At the same time, he stressed that any supplementary or modification should be balanced by observing the rights, obligations and interests of employers and workers.
The Head of the Ministry’s Labor and Employment Department has proposed to make changes in the grounds for the termination of the employment contract, the definition of compulsory or forced labor, and the termination of an employment contract for a definite term.
Zhora Sargsyan also highlighted the structure and duration of the working time, the additional and special breaks of workers, the procedure for annual leave, and the clarification of the problematic aspects of the articles on non-paying vacation.
At the end of the meeting the representatives of the Ministry heard the suggestions and observations of the public discussion participants in order to make the efforts aimed at making the amendments to the Labor Code of RA more effective.