Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issued the following message on May 1, celebrated in Armenia as Labor Day.   (This is an unofficial; translation)

Dear compatriots,

I congratulate all of us on Labor Day and International Workers’ Day.

Labor is the only tool to solve the problems existing in our reality. Based on the logic of human and national dignity, we must solve all challenges facing us through work.

Labor is the most creative platform for human cooperation. Modern civilization has been created thanks to cooperation. And therefore, the most important essence of labor is not only the use of existing opportunities, but also the creation of opportunities for others.

My wish is for all of us to perceive labor this way because I continue to believe that personal effort, and the productive work of that effort, provides the formula of solving all our problems. Efficiency is important, but efficiency is impossible without education, knowledge and skills. In turn, education implies work, and I see the solution of all our problems in the education-labor-training formula.

Dear people,

Many of you are now working online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are working under great pressure and in risky conditions.

We highly praise those employed in healthcare, law enforcement, state security, and the manufacturing and import of food, medical items and medicines, since they helped maintain the country’s viability during the crisis.

We appreciate all those employers who, despite economic difficulties, have not resorted to job cuts since they benefited from the government’s anti-crisis programs.

Despite the crisis, the government of Armenia will carry on with the policy of economic development by promoting labor and supporting working people.

Our anti-crisis programs first address those people and companies that have complied with the Labor Code and the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia. We thereby not only honored our working citizens, but also took advantage of the fact that it was easier to identify registered workers in case they lost their job during the crisis.

Having a registered job is an important guarantee for the protection of worker’s rights, and I call on all workers to get their jobs registered and support the government in protecting their legitimate rights.

Dear compatriots,

The Armenian people are known as a hardworking, creative and talented people.

With their work and creative talent, the Armenian people will build the homeland of their dreams. This process has started. It will continue and will triumph despite the crisis.

Congratulations on May 1! Long live creative labor!