YEREVAN. – Armenian Minister of Labor and Social Affairs said the decision to terminate granting unemployment benefits was made in view of the fact that this method of dealing with unemployment is the most ineffective.

Artyom Asatryan answered lawmakers’ questions during the 2014 budget hearings in the parliament.

The Minister said that only 6 percent of the citizens are officially registered as unemployed, while the rest 94 percent simply continue getting the benefits.

“Meanwhile, other programs conducted in order to reduce unemployment rate were more effective, therefore it is more appropriate to develop these program. In 2014, the training programs will continue” he added.

The unemployment benefit totaled 18,000 drams per month (less than $ 45).