Parliament Members and Staff Honored on Independence Day

Parliament members and staff representatives have been awarded 75% of their salaries on the occasion of Independence Day. This information is available on the official website of the Parliament (photo below). According to the rates, the Speaker of the National Assembly received 892,890 AMD, Vice-Speakers received 694,470 AMD, the heads of permanent committees received 595,260 AMD, their deputies received 520,800 AMD, and ordinary members received 496,050 AMD. The head of the Parliament's staff received 595,260 AMD in bonuses. The list, of course, is ongoing.

After the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Armenia, almost all state structures, including the Parliament, had abandoned periodic bonuses. The funds were transferred to a special fund opened for the pandemic. After several months of suspension, members of Parliament have, in fact, been rewarded again.

It is understandable that officials will now present this as a 'gift' for Independence Day or as an acknowledgment of hard work, but the fact is that the pandemic continues to take lives in our country.