Meeting with High-Level ILO Delegation and Official Launch of Entrepreneurial Training Program

On June 18, the President of the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia (RUEA), Vahagn Hambardzumyan, hosted Ms. Beate Andrees, Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Guido Hentsch, accompanying the Director, Vladimir Curovich, Senior Employers’ Specialist of the ILO Decent Work Technical Team, and Nune Hovhannisyan, ILO National Coordinator.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a range of comprehensive and strategic issues aligned with the ILO’s global priorities, the ongoing programs of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the key focus areas of RUEA’s activities.

Ms. Beate Andrees warmly welcomed RUEA’s initiative to launch the process of joining the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), initiated by RUEA President Vahagn Hambardzumyan following a high-level meeting with the IOE Secretary-General during the recent International Labour Conference held in Geneva.

The discussion placed special emphasis on the strengthening of social partnership, sustainable development of RUEA’s institutional capacities, expansion of international cooperation, promotion of the formal economy, and efforts aimed at establishing social justice. Vahagn Hambardzumyan highlighted that a draft Law on Employers' Unions has already been developed and is expected to be adopted during the autumn session of the National Assembly. In addition, the new Republican Collective Agreement is nearly finalized, and its signing is expected soon in a tripartite format involving the Government of Armenia, RUEA, and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia.

The parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to continue effective cooperation and to implement joint initiatives aimed at promoting decent work and strengthening social protection.

In the second part of the meeting, members of the delegation participated in the opening ceremony of the entrepreneurial education program organized by RUEA and delivered welcoming remarks to the participants. The overall goal of the program is to assist the population forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh by enhancing their entrepreneurial skills and is being implemented with the support of the ILO within the framework of the initiative “Building the Capacity of Constituents to Pre-empt the Informalisation of Work and Promote the Transition to Formality in the Context of a Refugee Crisis.”

This program offers a unique opportunity for approximately 70-80 beneficiaries to acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge of business fundamentals through one-month training sessions. These trainings are essential for launching and sustainably developing their own businesses. The sessions will be conducted in three separate groups, in both in-person and online formats, ensuring accessibility for participants residing not only in Yerevan but also in the regions of Armenia.

A key component of the program is an in-depth study of Armenia’s legislative framework, which is particularly important considering its significant differences from the regulatory system in Nagorno-Karabakh. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of topics ranging from business registration and the tax system to legal regulations related to entrepreneurship, ensuring a clear grasp and practical application of all necessary legal components.

The course also covers practical skills in business planning, financial management, market analysis, and access to financial resources. Following the training phase, the program offers ongoing mentorship support to assist participants in the practical implementation and development of their business ideas. This approach ensures that the program’s impact extends beyond the training itself, effectively transforming knowledge into action.

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