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Since the principle of fair salary distribution has been discussed in Armenia for a long time, we are trying to introduce a new system where the salary will be based on performance evaluation. This was stated by the Chairman of the RA State Revenue Committee (SRC) Rustam Badasyan at January 11 sitting of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs, presenting the proposed addenda and amendments to the law on Remuneration of Persons Holding State Positions and State Service Positions for debate. “We want tax and customs officials to have professional skills. That is why it is important what kind of trainings they have undergone and what qualifications they have as a result of them,” Rustam Badasyan added. It was also mentioned that the second component of the performance evaluation will be the efficiency of the employee’s work.

The SRC Chairman answered the deputies’ questions. The Secretary of Armenia Faction Artsvik Minasyan inquired about the possibility of appeal: If the tax or customs officer does not agree with the decision made, should an additional payment be given or not. Rustam Badasyan explained that there is no clear appeal mechanism and it is not appropriate considering the number of employees. According to him, there will be relations regulated by the RA Labor Code. “Discretionary approaches will be reduced as much as possible,” the SRC Chairman said.

Vladimir Vardanyan inquired in his turn whether all tax and customs officers have an equal opportunity to be trained in other countries, in response to which Rustam Badasyan clarified that all employees have such an opportunity, except for those who do not know the required foreign language, particularly English. Such courses are organized by the World Customs Organization, which regularly gives participation quotas to the RA SRC employees as well.

In the co-report, the Committee member Lilit Minasyan positively assessed the proposed draft, urging her colleagues to vote for it.

“This is a draft aimed at providing better social guarantees to a good state servant, which can be of significant importance in making the public service system more attractive,” the Committee Chair Vladimir Vardanyan underscored at the end of the debate.

The Committee endorsed the draft. It will be proposed to be included in the draft agenda of the NA regular session.