Gaps in the Republic of Armenia’s current system ensuring healthy and safe working conditions for pregnant and breastfeeding women

The Human Rights Research Center (HRRC) NGO, in collaboration with UN Women, analysed the legislative framework and inspection mechanisms in the Republic of Armenia in line with international and European labour standards on occupational safety and health (OSH), including safe and healthy working conditions for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The publication was prepared in the framework of the project “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus”, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC).

This issue paper identifies the gaps and inconsistencies in Armenia’s current legal regulations and mechanisms, including the contradictory legal regulations on safe and healthy working conditions for pregnant and breastfeeding women and the inadequacy of the risk assessment system to evaluate their working conditions. Explaining the need for systemic changes, it provides a practical package of recommendations to policymakers for bringing the national legislation in line with international and European labour standards. It provides additional recommendations for improving the mechanisms for ensuring healthy and safe working conditions for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and for women who have recently given birth.