Introduction of business-ombudsman’s institution actively discussed in Armenia

An idea to set up a business-ombudsman’s institution has been actively discussed in Armenia. According to the initiators, his major task will be to defend the interests of entrepreneurs and restitute any violated rights.

While experts and politicians are engaged in discussions on the matter, the Deputy Justice Minister of Armenia, Suren Krmoyan, has stated today that ‘a bill on the protection of entrepreneurs’ rights’ has already been drafted and brought forward for broader debates. Afterwards, the document will be expanded and an amended version will be submitted to the Armenian Parliament for consideration.

As Krmoyan pointed out, one of the tasks of the business-ombudsman will be to timely address the problems that will emerge in the course of a businessmen’s activity, as well as to defend them and represent their interests. According to the Deputy Justice Minister, this institution will allow to further enhance investments, to render assistance to businesses, to improve the business-climate etc.

Arman Tatoyan, the Armenian Public Defender, opposed the idea of setting up the business-ombudsman’s institution. In his words, the country would do better to develop the existing Public Defender’s institution, rather than to create a new one. According to Tatoyan, the business-ombudsman will actually perform his duties: “In the case of an emergency, this person will have to turn to me, and the result of such duplication will hamper our activity. So, I’m against it.”

According to Mikayel Melkumyan, an economist, the National Assembly Vice-Speaker from the opposition, there is a need for the business-ombudsman’s institution, since small and medium businesses particularly require protection. “The rights of 80 000 entrepreneurs should be defended, as they have nowhere to turn for assistance.”

There haven’t been any active Facebook discussions on this issue so far. Yet a couple of posts have been made:

“And what about setting up an institution for the protection of employees’ rights? It’s no less an important issue, is it?  Nowadays, employers do whatever they want and the employees aren’t protected against their arbitrariness.”

“Business-ombudsman?… And who’s going to defend his interests?”

“I wonder whom this position is created for.”