Artsakh Residents to Find Employment in Armenia: Two Employment Programs Launched

Service, restaurant business, industry, community sector, and more. Residents of Artsakh currently in Armenia due to the war will be employed in these and other sectors. For this purpose, two programs are being launched: "Providing Support for Gaining Work Experience" and "Organizing Paid Public Works." During a press conference held at the Armenpress news agency, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Ruben Sargsyan presented the details of the programs, noting that preliminary estimates indicate around two thousand beneficiaries could participate in both programs.

“If the demand is higher, we do not see any issues and are ready to work. I should mention that we already have over 660 applications. In the initial phase, residents of Artsakh whose homes are under the control of Azerbaijan can apply. In the second phase, those Artsakh residents whose homes and buildings in Artsakh have been damaged will be eligible to apply. This means that we will expand the number of beneficiaries,” said Ruben Sargsyan.

The employment guidance will align with the beneficiaries' desires and capabilities. Prior to the program launch, efforts were made with employers to understand which sectors needed emphasis to also be advantageous for the employers. If there are employers who have the capacity and wish for Artsakh residents to work for them, Ruben Sargsyan urged them to be proactive and apply to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia.

In the program "Providing Support for Gaining Work Experience," a beneficiary can be enrolled once for a duration of three months. Within the framework of the initiative, a monthly net salary of 100,000 AMD will be provided, with the income tax and mandatory payments reimbursed to the employer. At the same time, the specialist organizing the process of gaining work experience for the employer will also receive a monthly payment of 34,000 AMD.

“Although a three-month period is mentioned, we are well aware that as long as the living conditions in Artsakh are not resolved, many will not be able to return. I believe that if demand exists, we will be able to extend the program’s duration,” added the deputy minister.

The next program is “Organizing Paid Public Works,” where the employer is the community. Under this program, Artsakh residents have the opportunity to engage in paid public works carried out in communities and receive 8,000 AMD for one working day, including income tax and mandatory payments. The focus of this program is primarily on improvement, renovation, and snow removal work.

Citizens can apply in various ways: visiting territorial employment agencies, applying through e-reguest.am, or utilizing the assistance of the website www.employment.am by filling out the relevant application. Citizens need to provide their name, surname, and specify which program they wish to participate in.