Armenian opposition MP criticizes low pay for soldiers on combat duty

Opposition MP Gegham Manukyan has criticized the Armenian government for what he described as a severe imbalance in state salaries, highlighting the low daily compensation of soldiers on combat duty compared to members of parliament and patrol police officers.

Speaking at a parliament session on Wednesday, Manukyan pointed out that MPs receive 22,000 drams per day, patrol officers around 11,000 drams, while a contract soldier on active combat duty earns just 1,700 drams per day. He called the situation “alarming,” especially given the critical role of sergeants, whom he described as the "guardians" of soldiers.

Manukyan also challenged the government's claims of military salary hikes through certification exams, stating that only high-ranking officers saw real raises. As an example, he cited a sniper who served during the 2022 fighting but was denied a pay rise after failing a basic drill exam.

The MP warned that over 1,000 sergeants will be needed for the armed forces, each responsible for at least 10 soldiers, yet their salaries remain around 222,000 drams per month.