In her speech, Nazaretyan noted that today there is positive discrimination in trade unions, as women’s representation is quite high. However, overall, women in the labor market continue to be engaged mostly in low-paid jobs. The collective agreement is the best tool for setting fair remuneration standards in the workplace, within the sector, and at the national level, without having to wait for separate legislative regulations.
When asked how the value of labor should be calculated and what role the state plays, Nazaretyan responded that, first of all, the minimum basket must be calculated correctly—what is often called the cost of living in a given country. Based on that, a real minimum wage should be established, and only then should the regulation of market relations be left to function. For many years, the state has justified its stance by saying that too much interference in market relations is wrong, but governance must primarily aim at creating an environment where citizens live with at least basic social security. To achieve this, genuine social partnership is necessary, while the Republican Collective Agreement remains unsigned.