Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia
General rules for the implementation of employment:
Every citizen of a foreign state, who has the appropriate visa of the RA, has the right to work in the territory of the Republic of Armenia. Unlike the previous Labor Code of the RA, the Code of 2004 reduces the role of government in labor relations. The rules of the new Labor Code are more focused on labor relations. Essentially, every registered employee in the Republic of Armenia is entitled to a workbook, where the details of their work are recorded.
Working time and annual leave in the legislation of the Republic of Armenia:
The Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia defines the allowed working time as consisting of no more than 40 (forty) hours per week. It should be noted that this time may not exceed 8 (eight) hours per working day. The Code also specifies the duration of non-working hours as 48 (forty-eight) hours per week and the non-working day may not exceed 12 (twelve) hours. The Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia defines the rules of work at night, for example, persons who have not attained the minimum age of 18 (eighteen) years cannot be employed between 22:00 PM to 06:00 AM. The Labor Code also provides benefits for pregnant women and persons caring for children of up to three years of age.
Each person employed in the Republic of Armenia has the right to take annual leave. The employees may use their rights to annual leave in parts, provided the total parts equal to one working year. Days of leave that the employees do not use within one year may be carried over to the next working year only by mutual consent of the employee and the employer. The employee annual leave is paid by the employer. Should an employee not take their annual leave, or not take it in full, they will be reimbursed financially for this upon leaving employment.
In the Republic of Armenia working women are entitled to maternity leave for:
- The total period of 140 (one hundred and forty) days, 70 (seventy) days for pregnancy and 70 (seventy) days for leave;
- In case of difficult births, of 155 (one hundred and fifty-five) days, 70 (seventy) days for pregnancy and 85 (eighty-five) days for leave;
- When giving birth to more than one child, of 180 (one hundred and eighty) days, 70 (seventy) days for pregnancy and 110 (one hundred and ten) days for leave.
At the request of the person providing child care, such as adoptive parents and/or other relatives, a leave is granted for child care, provided that the child has not attained the age of three years. When this type of leave is granted the employee retains their workplace.
The employment contract in the Republic of Armenia:
The employment contracts are issued with the rules established by The Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia. The Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia provides for several types of employment contracts. The employment contract is either fixed-term/urgent or indefinite. A fixed-term/urgent contract in the Republic of Armenia is issued only in exceptional cases.
Cases of fixed-term/urgent employment contracts in the Republic of Armenia:
- When providing personal services for the employer;
- When providing home care services, such as repair, cleaning apartments, maid service and similar;
- When working part-time;
- When performing seasonal work;
- When working with a term of up to two months.
Grounds for termination of the employment contract in the Republic of Armenia:
- By the agreement between the parties;
- At the end of the contract term;
- By the decision of the employee;
- By the decision of the employer;
- In other cases stipulated by The Labor Code.
The Labor Code provides guarantees for employees in case of illness, work-related injuries, as well as, for pregnant employees and when caring for children aged up to three years. These guarantees are always present, whether or not it is separately provided by the employee labor contract.
Intergovernmental agreements related to the settlement of free movement of labor:
The Republic of Armenia is a party to agreements on the free movement of labor. Agreements, in particular, concluded with The Russian Federation, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, as well as, with The Republic of Georgia and The Emirate of Qatar. According to the clauses of these agreements, each party shall recognize the other party’s diploma, certificate, qualification certificate and their certified translations and other documents necessary for employment.