Problems facing the trade unions range from legislative gaps to the lack of awareness.
Today, Mr. Marat Atovmyan, representative of the EU funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project met with the representatives of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia. The meeting was held in the scope of the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project. Representatives of several branch republican unions affiliated with the CTUA. Mr. Atovmyan presented the project and spoke about it target areas and objectives.
The Union members identified a number of problems that exist in this area. They said that the lack of legal awareness among the public was the primary problem. Many people are not aware of their rights, as well as the mission of the trade union. “The mode of thinking among the people that the trade union is a body which provides material support should be eliminated,” the participants said. Legislative gaps and shortcomings are also important. They noted the workers are not protected from the aspect of organizing of strikes.
The failure of local government bodies was also noted. “We have problems in terms of educating mayors and village heads, the members of the trade unions said.”
The education sector was problematic as well. The low level of salaries was a priority, and then comes the problem of lack of work places. “When we were asked from the Ministry of Education, which is the main way to combat corruption, the only reply is to increase salaries. The salaries of teachers have not increased over the past six years.”
The organizational solutions hinder to the process of establishing public control in the universities, specifically, the process of election of the members of Governing Councils in the universities is an obstacle. “The Governing Councils of the universities are under the auspices of senior officials of the republic. Thus, universities are beyond the control of the society,” responsible persons of this sector said.
At the end the members of trade union agreed that the primary problem is the lack of awareness among the public, everything starts from it.
The “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project is implemented with the financial support of the European Union by the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO in cooperation with its partners; Agora Central Europe o.p.s (an NGO from the Czech Republic), Armenian Center for Democratic Education-CIVITAS, “International Center for Human Development” Public Organization, SME Cooperation Association and Union of Communities of Armenia.
G.T.
A.S.
