Social protection in Armenia
Social protection in Armenia is an
Introduction
The state social protection system of Armenia is financed by the state budget. The services provided within this institution are free for citizens. The Ministry Labor and Social Affairs coordinates the services provision process. The social protection system of Armenia plays an important role in providing social support to the population and alleviating extreme poverty. The social protection policy is aimed at managing social risks by the state via prevention, reduction and regulation.
Prior to the
History
Social protection system during the First Republic of Armenia
The Ministry of Public Assistance was established in November 1918, at the time when the second government of the
1914–1920 were particularly challenging; the
Social protection system during the Second Republic of Armenia
When Armenia became part of the Soviet Union, Bolshevik leaders replaced Armenian government Ministers.
On 8 December 1920 the Ministry was reorganized as the Commissariat of Reconstruction and Care. Later, on 21 December it was renamed “People’s Commissariat for Social Security”. On 12 March 1925, it was again renamed and this time bore the name of “People’s Commissariat of Labor and Social Security”. In 1946, the Ministry for Social Security of the
Armenia's social protection system after 1991
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Ministry for Social Security was reorganized into the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. After the 1995 Armenian parliamentary election, according to Presidential Decree, the government structure underwent changes; the Ministry was reorganized into the Ministry of Social Security, Employment, Migration and Refugee Affairs.
In 1996, according to Presidential Decree, the government underwent further structural changes. On 8 November 1996, the Ministry was reorganized into the Ministry of Social Security. On 28 February 2000, the Ministry was merged into the Ministry of Health and Social Security. On 20 May 2000, the Ministry was separated from the Ministry of Social Security. On 25 December 2003, it was renamed the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
Armenia faced increased challenges during the first years of independence. The consequences of the
In 1992, the poverty rate in Armenia reached 94%. As such, the Government of Armenia implemented drastic economic reforms. Humanitarian aid was of primary importance. The President assigned the government to set up a system that would organize the distribution of humanitarian aid. A working group of specialists was formed and a clear set of regulations enacted. The Social Services Institute within the Ministry of Social Security was formed. The Ministry came to distinctly specify the poverty rate among needy families, as well as regulate the operative and unbiased distribution of humanitarian aid.[3] Social services were funded from the State budget and beneficiary services were provided free of charge.
In 2005, the Law on Social Assistance and the Law on State Benefits were both passed by government. It ensures that social assistance and social services are provided to people in difficult life situations and assist citizens to mitigate or prevent those difficulties, while helping to integrate vulnerable communities/individuals into society.[4]
According to the United Nations Development Programme, the unemployment rate in Armenia dropped to 17.8%, while the poverty rate dropped to 23.5% in 2021.[5]
Structure
There are 15 social protection programs in Armenia. These programs are classified into three major social protection components:[4]
- Social assistance;
- Social insurance;
- Labour market programs
These programs include child protection and health care programs, family and
Recent developments
A study conducted by the European Commission in 2011 found that the social protection system of Armenia had improved and state policy played an important role in providing social support to the population and alleviating extreme poverty.[8] The report further noted that continued reforms in the social assistance policy are critical in order to achieve sustainable results and ensure that social assistance programs are accessible to all.
In November 2017, Armenia and the
Between 2019 and 2020, UNICEF and the World Bank conducted an in-depth review of social protection systems in Armenia, with the aim to provide the Armenian government a baseline to address existing gaps and further reform the social protection system in response to emerging needs.[10]
In July 2021, EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) actively cooperates with the Armenian government and local civil society organizations to support and implement social programs across the country and strengthen the capacity of the government to implement its broad social reform agenda.[12]
See also
- Economy of Armenia
- Human rights in Armenia
- Pensions in Armenia
- Politics of Armenia
- Social issues in Armenia
References
- ^ "ILO | Social Protection Platform". www.social-protection.org. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
- PMID 2142590.
- ^ World Bank. "Case Study Summary: Armenia Family Poverty Benefit" (PDF). World Bank Archive: 1–2.
- ^ a b "Technical Assistance Consultant's Report" (PDF). Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ "UNDP in Armenia". UNDP.
- ^ "Social safety network and social protection system". www.investinarmenia.am.
- ^ "Social security provisions in the Constitution of Armenia".
- ^ https://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=6881&langId=en [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "EU and Armenia take stock on Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement implementation | EU Neighbours". www.euneighbours.eu. 11 May 2021.
- ^ "Core Diagnostic of the Social Protection System in Armenia". www.unicef.org. 25 May 2021.
- ^ Mejlumyan, Ani. "Armenia gets aid boost from EU | Eurasianet". Eurasianet.
- ^ "Social Protection | Armenia | U.S. Agency for International Development". www.usaid.gov. July 12, 2021.
External links
- Official website (of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs)