YEREVAN. – At present, 160,000 people in Armenia receive the monthly minimum wage of 35,000 drams (approx. $84).

Labor and Social Affairs Minister Artem Asatryan stated the above-said during the National Assembly special session on Wednesday.

Asatryan informed that 90,000 non-public sector and 70,000 public sector workers are paid this minimum wage, and they will significantly benefit once the monthly minimum wage in Armenia is raised to 45,000 (approx. $108) drams on July 1. 

The minister added that 3.7 billion drams (approx. $8,879,223) will be needed, in the next six months, to be able to pay the new minimum wage in the public sector.

Artem Asatryan also noted that the 2014 State Budget will need an additional 50 billion drams (approx $119,989,500) to raise the salaries of Armenia’s public servants.