The Bonus of Our Parliamentarians is Discussed by All Possible Means: Sofia Hovsepyan

Member of the National Assembly from the 'My Step' faction Sofia Hovsepyan has stated on her Facebook page: "The bonus of our parliamentarians is discussed regularly and through all possible means, with harsh insults and curses directed at us. I must say that I do not take offense at the words, but for the sake of fairness, I want to present the situation.

Yes, starting from a certain period, I have received every month a bonus of 152,000 AMD (which is presented in the media as 500,000), and everyone knows well the extent of my activities and my efforts to extend a helping hand to people, both physically and financially. The 152,000 AMD has never covered even my visits to the regions, as I spend half of the month in the regions, villages, and getting acquainted with the problems of the villagers, which are evident from my regularly rising questions and proposed solutions.

I must say that a part of my salary also serves this purpose, which complicates the solution of ordinary personal matters due to my lack of additional income. I do not complain about not receiving bonuses at all, but it is logical that I will not always be able to be physically present next to those in need to understand their problems and find ways to solve them.

Yes, I am sure that many will understand what I am saying after this post, many will try to insult me even more harshly, many will criticize, but since honesty is a priority for me, I simply could not refrain from addressing this long-standing issue again. Without objection, I have refused and will gladly continue to refuse the bonus, as its size and the volume of noise surrounding it do not coincide.

But I will need a service vehicle to continue working at the volume I have planned. I am sure you will be offended again, calling it 'a big appetite,' but believe me, I work 20 hours a day and in all this, I invest not only my personal skills and abilities but also my salary. I have been living comfortably this month since I have not received a bonus, and I will continue to do so as I will not be receiving one. However, how much I can be beside those in need will only allow my salary.

Anyway, I did not write because I am offended; I wrote because I understand that many do not realize the difference in responsibility and obligation between the time when I was a teacher and the time when I am a parliamentarian. At that time, by law, I had obligations to a specific number of students in one school, today...

There have been villages that I have visited up to three times in a year, prompted by issues, but each time I was welcomed with the same expression: 'You come from election to election.' I understand this as well, that they want to see me more often. Sometimes I jokingly say, 'If your hands can, take me to your house, only to see me every day.'

Criticize, I am not against it; I have also criticized in the past, but be constructive, as I have been. Remember, I have not had businesses, I do not have one, and it is difficult to pay off the debts I had yesterday, I have today, and I will have tomorrow living like this. But it's not the issue; rather, my conscience can rest easily. Feel free, I am also ready to provide my roadmap and bank draws.

Respectfully, a parliamentarian living peacefully without a bonus."