The general rules of employment
On receipt of the relevant visa and permit foreign citizens are entitled to work in the RA under similar regulations, and on similar conditions as the citizens of the RA.
Employment relations are governed in the RA by the Labour Code, adopted in 2004. This new legislation reduces the role of the state in employment relations and puts greater emphasis on contractual relations.
Each individual in Armenia has a work record or service record card, which contains entries about both the terms of employment and names of employers for each job undertaken.
Work duration, vacations
The normal working week is 40 hours (maximum 8 hours daily). Work cannot exceed 48 hours per week, or 12 hours per day.
Working night hours (from 22:00 till 6:00) is restricted for individuals under 18, and there are certain restrictions for pregnant women and mothers with children under the age of 3.
Women working in the RA receive both pregnancy and maternity leave as follows:
- 140 days (70 days for pregnancy, 70 days for maternity);
- 155 days (70 days for pregnancy, 85 days for maternity) in cases of difficult delivery;
- 180 days (70 days for pregnancy, 110 days for maternity) in cases of the birth of more than one child at a time.
The child’s primary care giver can take a leave of absence until the child reaches three years of age and the employee reserves right for returning to his/her job (position).
Labour contract in Armenia
The conditions governing these employment contracts are listed in the Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia. In accordance with the Labour Code there are several types of employment contracts. Employment contracts are signed for a definite or indefinite period of time. Employment contracts of a pre-defined period of time are to be signed only in exceptional cases.
Employment contracts are signed for a pre-defined period of time in the following cases:
The Labour Code in Armenia provides guarantees for the protection of employees against sickness, and injury; for pregnant women, and working mothers with children under age of 3. These guarantees are valid even when not specifically stipulated by the labour contract.
For more information and legislation please visit the website of State Employment Agency.