Epress.am News from Armenia
“We are demanding that this law not be approved, according to which benefits to pregnant women are reduced. We hope that something will change. But if our demand is not met, it remains for us to buy a ticket and give birth in another country,” said Women’s Resource Center of Armenia (WRCA) Executive Director Lara Aharonian and WRCA staff member Tatevik Aghabekyan, both speaking to Epress.am today.
Members of the group “Stop changes in maternity leave law” today had gathered in front of the government building during its regular session to protest changes in the law on temporary leave benefits. Though the changes have been approved in parliament and signed by the president, the group is asking for the decision to be reversed.
When the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Artur Petrosyan stepped out of the building, the women gathered around him and began asking questions. Petrosyan, however, only suggested they appeal to the appropriate ministry.
“I don’t recall you appealing to us, please, if there are issues, contact us and we will respond,” said the minister while quickly walking to his car.
Asked by journalists how he would explain the approval of such a law, Petrosyan said, “Later, this is not the [time or] place, when you have time, we together with you, you will come, we will discuss,” he said.
When the government session ended, RA Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artur Grigoryan responded to both journalists’ and demonstrators’ questions.
“Welcome, we will discuss this together, keep in touch with the ministry, we will get in touch with you. I promise to organize public hearings after the discussions [presumably in parliament], it will be in the press, you will know the day, you will come and participate,” said Grigoryan.
Protest participants asked that they be informed of changes in the law; however, the minister insisted that the changes are in their draft stage and he cannot present them at this time.
“In that case our request is definitely to consult with us while developing and until establishing the amendments and take into consideration our, citizens’, opinion,” said one of the protestors.
The minister assured protestors that once they become familiar with the amended law, they will be convinced that everything is in their favor.
After Grigoryan left, Epress.am spoke with the demonstrators. According to them, it’s not effective to organize a public discussion after making changes to the law.
“They should have organized these discussion during the discussion stage of the bill to make changes to the law, not after approving them. In other words, men sitting [around a table] approve some decisions about women, without considering women’s opinion,” said one demonstrator.
Aharonia, speaking to Epress.am, said that they will go to the end with all the means at their disposal, and they will participate in the public hearings.
“Finally, we are this state and we have the right to decide what is good for us, and this is an opportunity to do that,” she said.
As previously reported, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan had addressed this issue during the government session today.
“An assignment has been given to the minister [Artur Grigoryan], and today there is cooperation with the corresponding National Assembly committee. Our ministry [i.e. the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs] and the committee share the concerns which are raised. Today, a new draft law has been prepared and it’s necessary to discuss this bill with all interested parties, and if necessary —and it seems to me, there is a need —, we will take a legislative initiative, and we will make corrections to the law, with the aim of fostering such an environment which encourages the birth rate in the Republic of Armenia,” promised the prime minister.