YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–The minimum amount of monthly wage in Armenia has been raised from 1000 to 5000 drams–a measure which will largely have a symbolic significance for most Armenia’s. A bill adopted by parliament on Tuesday and expected to be signed by the president–will take effect beginning next year.
The new minimum wage is still far below the estimated subsistence wage of 17,000 drams. Experts say the disproportionately large scale of shadow economy in Armenia renders irrelevant the official average salary set at 15,000 drams.