Armenian health workers face pay cuts, contract terminations under new policy

Healthcare workers in Armenia are reportedly being pressured to accept reduced wages or leave their jobs, according to a warning from a health specialist.

In a social media post on Friday, Anush Poghosyan, head of the Right to Health NGO, said that doctors, nurses, and midwives have not only experienced delays in receiving their salaries but in many cases have been paid two to three times less than expected.

The Ministry of Health recently asked medical staff for “understanding”, attributing the situation to technical problems linked to the introduction of the new health insurance system.

However, Poghosyan argued that the issue goes far beyond accounting or technical errors. According to her, healthcare workers have been formally informed that their previous salary levels will no longer be maintained. Those unwilling to accept the reduced pay risk having their contracts terminated under Article 109 of Armenia’s Labor Code.

“In simple terms, healthcare workers are being told to continue working for lower wages or leave their jobs,” Poghosyan said.

She also pointed out that senior healthcare officials received bonuses ranging from 3 to 7 million drams last December.

According to Poghosyan, appeals for “understanding” effectively prioritize officials’ bonuses over the salaries of the doctors, nurses, and other professionals who keep the healthcare system running.