13 Employees of Maralik Health Center's Maternity Division Haven't Received Salaries for 7 Months

Thirteen employees of the maternity division of the Maralik Health Center have not received their salaries for seven months, accumulating a debt of 12 million drams in unpaid wages. This was stated by the acting director of the institution, Anush Hovsepyan, during a protest by the center's staff.

She noted that in 2019, a decision was made to close the division, but citizens initiated protests, which led to a proposal to upgrade the obstetric-gynecological unit so that a study could be conducted before a final decision was made. “We tried to upgrade the division; a study took place on February 18 of this year, and as a result, the division was not granted a status,” she emphasized.

According to Hovsepyan, they have done everything possible to fill the existing gaps and have equipped the division with the necessary medical equipment. However, when they appealed to the Ministry of Health, they were told that there was no committee available to conduct a study due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Another issue mentioned by the acting director is that after the rejection of the chief's order for the division, there was no governmental decision issued. “There is no clear legal act on which the 13 staff members of the division could be notified that they have been dismissed. In other words, they are still employed but are not receiving salaries. During these seven months, there have been 21 births recorded,” Hovsepyan said, highlighting that the financial burden is increasing day by day.

“We are concerned that due to the increasing financial burden, we may also lose our polyclinic services, as it’s possible that we will be declared bankrupt and dissolved,” she said, noting that they have reached out to the regional governor, the minister of health, the minister of territorial administration and infrastructure, and even the prime minister, but there has been no response.

“Time is very precious for us, as the financial burden increases daily. We ask for clarity and the opportunity to work; if that is not provided, the government should issue a decision stating that the employees are dismissed. How long can we remain in this uncertainty?” she concluded.