“With respect to the question as to whether or not there is a discrepancy between the statements made by President Serzh Sargsyan and PM Tigran Sargsyan, and concerning the raising of salaries, Gabrielyan specifically responded as follows:
“‘There is no discrepancy. According to the President’s statement, there will be a consistent increase in salaries as of 2014. Our entire salary policy is also anchored in the minimum wage. Although the increase in the minimum wage is desirable, excessive increase may have very bad consequences for the economy.
“‘I assure you that in the case of increasing [the salaries] at once [and] sharply, we will have problems with both inflationary pressure and immediate funding; but most importantly, with jobs. That is why the [Armenian] authorities want to go with a pace whereby jobs can be protected as much as possible.’
“The minister added that a drastic increase in the minimum wage will result in reduction of jobs, which in turn will increase the growth of emigration,” Zhamanak writes.
