Kerobyan on the Church's Proposal to Add Holidays

Vahan Kerobyan, the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, stated in a press briefing with journalists today at the National Assembly that he is surprised why the Armenian Apostolic Church does not propose to make December 31 and January 1 working days, since New Year is not a religious holiday.

It is noteworthy that the Armenian Apostolic Church had suggested to the authors of the draft amendments to the law on New Year and Christmas holidays and to the factions of the National Assembly to maintain non-working days on January 5, as it is the Feast of the Nativity, and January 7, as a day of remembrance for the deceased.

"The important spiritual holidays that should be included in the list of non-working days are already included. These are Christmas, Easter, and so on," stated Kerobyan.

By rejecting the Church's proposal, the minister promised instead to intensify pressure on employers who do not grant their employees the full annual vacation entitled by law.

"Many people are forced to work on non-working days because their employers find it necessary, and they are, in fact, violating the law. Naturally, by removing these days off (January 3-7), we indirectly force employers to grant their employees the days off necessary for them to restore their strength throughout the year," he said.