For employers expanding into Armenia or managing local talent, understanding the country's legal framework around maternity and caregiving leave is essential. Armenian labor law provides robust protections for female employees during pregnancy, childbirth, and early childcare, including mandatory paid leave, breastfeeding accommodations, and protection from dismissal.
What is the Standard Maternity Leave in Armenia
In Armenia, female employees Armenia are entitled to 140 days of paid maternity leave, broken down into two periods:
70 days before delivery
70 days after delivery
Extended Leave for Complicated Childbirth and Multiple Births
In cases of complicated childbirth, the maternity leave is extended by 15 days, bringing the total to 155 days:
70 days before delivery
85 days after delivery
For those experiencing multiple childbirths (e.g., twins or triplets), the leave is further extended to 180 days:
70 days before delivery
110 days after delivery
Leave for Premature Births
In the case of a premature birth, the unused days from the initial 70 days before delivery are transferred to the post-birth leave period.
Adoption Leave
Female employees who adopt a newborn or become guardians of a newborn are also entitled to paid leave until the child reaches the age of 70 days.
Maternity and Adoption Benefits
While on maternity or adoption leave, female employees are entitled to temporary incapacity benefits, which are paid at 100% of their average daily wage. These benefits are paid directly by the employer.
In cases where the employee is unemployed, pregnant, or not eligible to receive benefits from their employer, the state provides maternity benefits funded by the state budget. These benefits are paid at the daily minimum wage rate for the full duration of the maternity leave (140 days). For women who are surrogates, the state offers similar benefits, ensuring that unemployed surrogate mothers also receive support.
Job Protection for Pregnant and Postnatal Employees
Pregnant women cannot be terminated from the day the employer receives a medical certificate confirming the pregnancy until one month following the end of maternity leave. This protection also applies to employees caring for a child under one year of age.
Exceptions to this rule include cases involving the liquidation of the organization, employer bankruptcy, unsatisfactory results during a probation period, or the employee's non-performance or incomplete performance of duties.
Breastfeeding Breaks for New Mothers
Female employees with a child under 18 months of age are entitled to a 30-minute break every 3 hours to feed their child. This break is in addition to regular rest and meal periods during the workday.
Flexibility in Breaks
These breaks can be combined or shifted to the beginning or end of the workday at the employee's request, allowing for flexibility in how the breaks are taken. If the breaks are combined or rescheduled, there will be a corresponding reduction in the length of the workday. The employee is paid at their average hourly wage during these breaks.
Implications for Employers in Armenia
Employers in Armenia must comply with maternity, adoption, and breastfeeding leave regulations to avoid legal issues. This includes paying female employees 100% of their daily wage during maternity or adoption leave, offering state-funded benefits when necessary, and providing 30-minute breastfeeding breaks for employees with infants under 18 months.
Employers should manage extended leave situations, such as complicated births or multiple births, while ensuring a supportive work environment to maintain employee satisfaction and retention.
How Atlas Can Support
Atlas offers comprehensive support by ensuring full compliance with local maternity, adoption, and breastfeeding leave laws. With our expertise, Atlas simplifies the complexities of local labor laws, helping employers maintain a supportive and legally compliant workplace for their employees.
