Armenian lawmakers approve minimum wage raise

The Armenian National Assembly on Thursday voted 65 to 7, with 25 abstentions, to raise the official minimum wage in the country by 2,500 drams (about $6).

This follows a decision by the government last month to set the new minimum salary beginning January 1 at 35,000 drams (about $86).

The two coalition members, Republican Party and Orinats Yerkir, voted for the measure, with Dashnaktsutyun and Prosperous Armenia abstaining.

The other two minority factions, Armenian National Congress and Heritage, voted against the bill.

The opposition called the measure "humiliating" for the people considering that it is still considerably below the minimum living wage estimated at about 55,000 drams (about $135).  Read more... (208 words)

Armenian News