“Violations of labor rights are not fully regulated by the state”

Additional work hours, unregistered workers, obviously discriminatory job declarations, unpaid wages … We cannot even not mention discrimination against women, which is unnoticed by many. The Armenian labor market has many problems, but it turns out that there are quite a few mechanisms to regulate them. Moreover, after the abolition of the Labor Inspectorate, there is practically no state body in charge of overseeing labor legislation, which makes it difficult for the situation if the working citizen needs assistance. WomenNet.am talks about this and other issues with Lusine Sargsyan, head of the Human Rights Office’s Research and Training Center.

– What is the situation in the Armenian labor market? Do you receive complaints from citizens regarding discrimination practices at workplace?

We receive applications regarding discrimination at workplace and other issues, but since there is no state body that is responsible for all that, our competencies are very limited. Individuals may apply to us if they have complaints against state bodies and officials, as well as against certain types of organizations, public service providers or delegated powers by the state.

-That is, you do not examine discriminatory treatment of private sector employees.

Yes. If a citizen works, for example, at a bank where there is a labor dispute or any other problem, we cannot, of course, consider the case because there should be a state body that would be able to examine it or the court.

– What are the main cases that bring the citizens to the Human Rights Office?

We had cases when a woman wanted to take a maternity leave for a child’s care, but she faced a problem of losing her job: this is a form of discrimination as men do not have that problem, and in the case of women, it is not permitted to take that vacation, or created additional obstacles for it. There are cases when citizens apply to us with regard to job announcements, there are many statements where the demand for a future worker is emphasized, good-looking women up to 35, etc.

– What is the statistics, women or men are applying more often in  case of problems at the workplace,? Can we say that in recent years, people have started to raise their voices to the Human Right’s Office or law enforcement agencies?

We can say, equally, because they are applying to us in the event of misuse of authority in the workplace. For example, problems with retirement age or salary-related issues. All studies indicate the fact that our society has started to voice its problems and to pursue its own rights.

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