Social Assistance Territorial Divisions Disbanded as of April 1, Aiming to Move on from Former Staff

The social assistance territorial divisions have been disbanded as of April 1, but employees have not held a status for about 15 days. This was reported to the NEWS.am editorial office by various employees of the social assistance territorial divisions.

“The divisions have fulfilled numerous functions aimed at meeting the needs of citizens in vulnerable groups, but currently, they are unable to perform their normal duties due to the disbandment. At the same time, employees without any status are forced to provide information and offer consultation assistance,” they stated.

“During the pandemic and war, these social workers selflessly and devotedly worked 24-hour shifts with the most vulnerable and extreme poor families. At present, they are forced to wait in uncertainty, and moreover, applications have been received from employees without a receipt or any official response, and it is unclear whether these applications have been accepted or not.”

“Casting calls are being made to invite people for director or chief specialist positions who evidently do not possess management skills, have no understanding of the social protection sphere, and lack the most basic professional knowledge. Furthermore, some of them have never worked in the public sector. The emphasis is placed on getting rid of the former staff, while former employees are selectively invited to casting calls and appointed in a selective manner, utilizing what has become our ancient tradition known as 'KZB',” the employees revealed.

It should be noted that the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Mesrop Arakelyan has repeatedly stated that due to the formation of a new unified body that will provide social services to citizens, no cuts will be made in the four existing state structures.