Employment

The situation in this sphere after the collapse of the USSR worsened, because in the Soviet period enterprises for the blind, deaf and other people with disabilities had functioned. After the recognition of the country's independence, most of enterprises were closed in Armenia, including those for people with disabilities as well. Thus, the people with disabilities working in special offices lost their jobs, as well as those who worked in ordinary enterprises. During the first years of independence there was a law according to which the enterprises, having 50 % of employees with disabilities, took advantage of tax deductions. In 2000 this regulation was canceled, and the enterprises with many disabled employees did not survive the tax burden and had to fire most of them. At present, on the initiative of the NGO, a discussion about the possibility to resume tax remissions is held. A corresponding bill was prepared, but its passing was delayed due to the parliamentary elections, held in May 25, 2003, and also because of the unwillingness of several deputies and factions to sustain this reform. Currently this bill is being lobbied in the government and the National Assembly of RA.
Moreover, some NGOs of people with disabilities attract handicapped people to their staff, thus, partially solving the problem of employment and increasing the social level of people with disabilities. Occasionally, various free courses for people with disabilities (computer, English etc.) are organized. After gaining of appropriate qualification, some people with disabilities manage to find a permanent or temporary job. Unfortunately, such cases occur not so often.
At present time negotiations are conducted concerning the adaptation of working places for people with disabilities on the factory «Adamand» and employment of a number of people with disabilities. According to official information, only about 7% of people with disabilities capable of working have a job in Armenia.