Social Package Will Allow Access to Pools and Gyms

The National Assembly of Armenia approved on second reading the draft law presented by the government, which proposes to add two more services to the existing social package. The draft law on amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Armenia on "Remuneration of Persons Holding State Positions and State Service Positions" received 56 votes in favor, 1 against, and 23 abstentions during the session.

This draft law envisions two new directions for the expenditure of funds accumulated in the social package: the opportunity to use services from sports and health complexes, swimming pools, and other sports organizations, and the possibility of repaying student loans with state subsidies.

Prior to this, the social package included arrangements for recreation in Armenia and Artsakh, repayment of monthly mortgage loan payments, educational fees, and the acquisition of a minimum package of additional services for the health insurance of the beneficiary and their family members.

The Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Ruben Sargsyan, stated that editorial changes were made during the discussion of the draft law from the first to the second reading. He noted that the "Armenia" faction had made suggestions, which were not accepted. "Our approach contradicts the concept of the social package," he said.

Tdavosh Avetisyan from the "Armenia" faction insisted that their approach does not necessarily contradict the idea of the social package. "Our proposals are more appropriate to the social package than the proposals you have brought," said the MP and suggested presenting the main purpose of the social package.

According to the Deputy Minister, the goal of the social package is to reduce the outflow of employees from the state apparatus and increase its attractiveness as a workplace. He disclosed that the "Armenia" faction had proposed to add three more directions for spending the social package funds, for example, allowing the funds to be spent on all consumer loans. He noted that 60 percent of the social package is directed by beneficiaries to recreation rather than to mortgage payments.

In response to the opposition faction's proposal, he acknowledged that the proposal is indeed social, but said, "Considering all this and avoiding deviating from the main purpose, we believe that it is unacceptable."

In his speech, Tdavosh Avetisyan emphasized that he particularly values their proposal for compensating housing rent. "When the main reporter says there's no apartment that can be rented for 72 thousand, I can also say that there’s no mortgage monthly payment that’s 6 thousand drams," said the MP.

Babken Tunyan from the ruling party considered the "Armenia" proposal for compensating consumer loans to be extremely unacceptable. "The state provides money to a person so that they can relax and restore their health, and we are suggesting that they could buy a phone and pay off its interest?" he noted.

Arzvik Minasyan from the "Armenia" faction announced before the vote that their faction would vote "abstain" on the draft.