Women protest against government's decision to cut maternity pay

Armenian government's decision to cut the maternity pay has kicked up discontent in Yerevan.

A group of women employed by different establishments gathered in protest outside the government building earlier today, holding photos of children and posters that called on the government to reverse the decision.

They were protesting against the government's decision to make amendments to the law that regulates maternity pay for employed women during their maternity leaves.

The proposed amendments envisage setting a fixed amount for maternity pay – 162,500 dram (approx. $459) which is fivefold of the minimum salary in Armenia.

The current law stipulates that a woman shall receive the full amount of her monthly salary for 140 days during her maternity leave.

Speaking to the protesters, Arthur Poghosyan, Armenia's Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, said that the state is doing its best to compensate those women during their pregnancy.

"The state compensates a pregnant woman as much as it can," said he.

But the protesters countered, reminding him that Armenia is facing a demographic problem. They also demanded that the government quit the idea.

"But we are having a demographic problem," they said.

Further, Poghosyan said that the government discusses the amendments and that he cannot give definite and final answers to their questions.