Another Case of Labor Rights Violation
On February 13, 2025, citizen A.S. (name changed) applied to New Generation Humanitarian NGO (NGNGO), reporting a violation of their labor rights and discriminatory treatment.
A.S. informed NGNGO that in January 2025, they began working at a restaurant in Yerevan under a probationary period. On February 12, the restaurant manager informed A.S. that they were now officially hired as a permanent employee, but that the one-month probationary period would not be paid, and that their salary would include solely the tips left by customers.
No employment contract or other individual legal act had been signed with A.S. upon hiring.
Later that same evening, after completing their shift, the manager informed A.S. that the restaurant director had decided to terminate their employment.
According to A.S., it became clear from conversations with other staff members that another employee, who knew someone in common with A.S., had disclosed A.S.’s sexual orientation to the management.
With the support of NGNGO, official complaint letters were sent to the Health and Labor Inspection Body of Armenia and the State Revenue Committee. Based on these complaints, on February 20, 2025, an administrative proceeding was initiated by the Inspection Body, and on February 21, a task force was formed to conduct an inspection at the restaurant.
Following the complaints, the restaurant management offered A.S. a settlement in exchange for withdrawing the complaints, which A.S. refused.
The administrative proceeding concluded in March 2025. Violations were recorded by the Inspection Body, and relevant instructions were issued.
As a result, the restaurant paid A.S. the minimum wage stipulated by Armenian legislation, including for the probationary period.
New Generation Humanitarian NGO, represented by its President Sergey Gabrielyan, emphasizes that A.S.’s case is yet another example demonstrating how fundamental labor rights are violated in the labor market due to individuals’ sexual orientation. Such cases are unacceptable in a state governed by the rule of law, and NGNGO will continue to support victims in restoring their violated rights.