Foreigners Working in the Food Sector in Armenia Undergo Preliminary Medical Examinations: AATC

In Armenia, all citizens, including foreigners, are required to undergo a preliminary medical examination when applying for jobs in the food service sector. This was reported by the Health and Labor Inspection Body of Armenia in response to a written inquiry from Sputnik Armenia.

The mandatory medical examination is conducted in accordance with the procedure for mandatory preliminary and periodic medical examinations established by the Armenian government on March 27, 2003.

The Health and Labor Inspection Body states, "We exercise monitoring over the implementation of the requirements of this procedure in accordance with the law. Monitoring is carried out within the framework of inspections and administrative proceedings."

At the same time, the Health and Labor Inspection Body informs that it does not have the authority to conduct inspections at public catering facilities (including kitchens). The oversight in this sector is performed by the Food Safety Inspection Body (FSIB) of Armenia.

Regarding cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Armenia, the inspection body notes that in cases where diseases specified in paragraph 10 of the mandatory preliminary and periodic medical examination procedure are diagnosed or if carriers are identified, employment is prohibited in organizations and specialties approved by the Armenian government.

For instance, working is not allowed in cases of the discovery of carriers of pathogens or parasitism and the diagnosis of several diseases (such as typhoid fever, paratyphoid, salmonellosis, dysentery, heminelepidosis, enterobiasis, syphilis, all forms of trichomoniasis, borreliosis, infectious skin diseases, etc.).

In such cases, the director of the organization providing medical assistance and services must immediately report electronically, by phone, or by fax, and then submit written information to the regional division of the Health and Labor Inspection Body within 24 hours.

Individuals who have not undergone preliminary and periodic medical examinations will be denied the opportunity to work until they comply with the prescribed medical examination in accordance with the decision of the head of the regional center of the Health and Labor Inspection Body. If any of the specified diseases are diagnosed as a result of the medical examination, the employment ban will remain in effect until recovery.