Epress.am News from Armenia
In developed countries, with which Armenia’s leaders in their speeches often compare themselves, the share of citizens’ minimum wage that goes toward food is 25%. Armenia’s minimum monthly salary, about 30,000 AMD (less than $100), barely covers the cost of food, said People’s Authority political group member Zoya Tadevosyan in a conversation with Epress.am ahead of the Oct. 15 opposition rally.
“Practically, the majority of Armenia’s citizens are forced to work so as not to go hungry. Entertainment, participation in cultural events or leisure is often unachievable,” she said.
The People’s Authority estimates that during the years of Robert Kocharian’s presidency (1998–2008), the “Kocharian-Sargsyan system” (referring to Serzh Sargsyan, who was defense minister during that time) laundered 10 billion dollars. According to Tadevosyan, the same amount of funds was laundered by remaining officials and members of the “ruling clan.”
Thus, the minimum monthly salary in Armenia today can increase to 120,000 AMD. Tadevosyan believes that this is possible when the country’s economy comes out from under the shadow, the budget is replenished with the funds stolen from the people, and results of privatization are reviewed.
“[We] can go the way of [Georgian President Mikhail] Saakashvili, who becoming president, was able to increase the budget threefold, due to the fight against corruption and shadow economy,” said Tadevosyan.