40,000 Able-Bodied Individuals Set to Exit Benefit System, Minister Says

40,000 individuals capable of working are set to exit the benefit system, with artificial intelligence being employed for this purpose. This was announced by Armenia's Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Narek Mkrtchyan, during today’s cabinet meeting.

He also noted that over the past two years, following the implementation of a unified social service and in-depth checks on beneficiaries, approximately 15,000 families that are not actually socially disadvantaged have been removed from the system. The current number of such individuals now stands at around 70,000. According to the minister, all these people will be offered job and vocational training opportunities.

Armenia is one of the first countries in the world to use artificial intelligence in its social security system. This project is being implemented by the ministry with the support of the Asian Development Bank.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the government’s task is not merely to provide citizens with bread, but to ensure all necessary conditions for them to earn their dignified livelihood through honorable work.

“The question of whether there are jobs available in Armenia is no longer relevant, as many companies are approaching us, stating that they need to bring in labor from abroad because they cannot find workers locally. For example, the managers of two textile enterprises in Vanadzor told me that each of them currently needs 400 workers,” he noted.

The Prime Minister has instructed the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Education, Science, Sport, and Culture to strengthen their connection with the private sector to gather information on the specific needs for specialists.