The Goal is to Double Salaries: Pashinyan Says Voluntary Certification System to be Implemented in NSS

The government approved today, February 9, changes and amendments to the laws on "Service in the National Security Bodies" and "Remuneration of Persons Holding State Positions and State Service Positions."

NSS Director Armen Abazyan stated that the goal of the legislative package is to introduce a new certification system in the national security bodies, which will provide for higher remuneration and ensure an appropriate level of professional training for personnel.

“In particular, for personnel engaged in the protection of the state border, intelligence, counterintelligence, operational intelligence activities, implementation of special tasks, planning, and control, a supplement will be calculated based on the results of certification, with the mentioned personnel participating in the certification on a voluntary basis for the first time. Each subsequent certification will take place every three years. In case of a negative result, the personnel will have the opportunity to apply for re-certification twice within a year. According to the draft law, the certification procedure, the amounts of calculated supplements, and the payment order will be established by a government decision,” said Armen Abazyan.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that the objective of the certification process is the same in both the army and the NSS: to at least double salaries. “We are implementing this process at this stage in bodies where combat service is performed,” said Nikol Pashinyan.