National Assembly Approves Bill Granting Bonuses to NSS Employees for Certification

The National Assembly of Armenia has accepted, in the second reading and overall voting, the bill concerning the establishment of bonuses for employees of national security agencies upon passing certification.

The package of amendments to the law on "Service in the National Security Bodies" and the law on "Remuneration of State Officials and Individuals Holding State Positions" received 63 votes in favor and 27 abstentions during the voting.

The aim of the bill is to introduce a new certification system within the national security agencies and to provide higher remuneration as a result.

Specifically, it is proposed that bonuses will be calculated based on certification results for employees engaged in border protection, reconnaissance, counterintelligence, operational-intelligence activities, special tasks, and supervisory functions.

According to the proposed bill, the first certification for NSS employees will be conducted on a voluntary basis and will subsequently become mandatory every three years. In case of a negative certification result, employees will be allowed to reapply for certification up to two times within one year.

Employees who do not pass certification will be deprived of bonuses and removed from their positions, being placed in a personnel reserve for a period of up to two months. During this time, they will be offered a position one rank lower than their previous office.

If they do not agree to the new appointment, the employee will be released from service after the established period in the personnel reserve expires.

The procedure for certification, as well as the amount of bonuses and the payment procedure, will be determined by a Government decision.

The implementation of mandatory certification aims to ensure and maintain adequate professional training among employees in the respective divisions.