MP Babken Tunyan: Lawmakers Have Not Received Bonuses Since the War Started and Will Not

MP from the ‘My Step’ faction Babken Tunyan has addressed the issue of bonuses on his Facebook page, stating that lawmakers have not received bonuses since the war started and will not receive them.

“I didn’t want to write on this topic, thinking it wasn’t the right time. But since some have already raised the issue, and if you don’t speak up, people think that those who talk a lot are correct. This will be my first and last post on this topic.

First of all, let me say: YES, receiving bonuses under these circumstances, in this situation, is unacceptable. And when a pensioner transfers their pension to a foundation, you can’t even think about it.

Now, in order:

1. Lawmakers have not received bonuses since the war started and will not receive them.
2. Before the war, they also did not receive bonuses for several months (the funds were transferred to the COVID foundation). They received bonuses in connection with September 21.
3. Besides not receiving bonuses, they have fully or partially transferred their salaries to the foundation. This has been done not only now but also in previous months. There are people who have transferred several million drams.
4. They have provided numerous other forms of assistance and performed organizational work outside their core functions.
5. Lawmakers do not talk about all this.
6. The salary is the only source of income for the majority of lawmakers (they do not have private businesses).

In general, I believe that everyone does what they do based on their conscience and convictions, not to prove anything to others or for self-promotion. But I see that this topic is being deliberately 'heated' to sow hatred and malice among people. That’s why I wrote. The war will end, we will talk, we will compare, and we will understand what each person has done in relation to their income. What they have done compared to their loud talking, criticizing, and insulting.

For now, this is all, and I apologize for touching on such a topic in this wartime situation. As I mentioned, this will be my first and last post on this topic,” Tunyan stated.