Armenian Ministry Mandates Protection of Labor Rights for Citizens Stranded by Middle East Conflict

Armenia’s Ministry of Social Affairs rules that absences due to Middle East flight delays are force majeure and must not lead to labor rights violations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 4:24 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from ARKA

Legal Safeguards Against Unlawful Termination

The Armenian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has issued a definitive directive stating that any employee’s absence from the workplace due to the current Middle East crisis must not result in a violation of their labor rights. According to the official statement, the ministry defines the inability to return to Armenia under current conditions as a force majeure event entirely beyond the control of the individual worker. This classification provides a critical legal shield for thousands of Armenian citizens currently trapped abroad, ensuring that their job security remains intact despite their physical absence from the country.

Mandatory Recognition of Valid Absences

Under the new guidelines, employers throughout Armenia are now required to treat absences related to the regional escalation as valid and excused. The ministry has clarified that these circumstances do not constitute unexcused leave and should not be used as grounds for disciplinary action or dismissal. Furthermore, the government is urging the private and public sectors to consider the possibility of extending official leave periods or organizing remote work arrangements where feasible. This policy aims to maintain the professional continuity of the workforce while acknowledging the logistical paralysis caused by the ongoing war.

Diplomatic Intervention and UAE Crisis Management

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently engaged in intensive discussions with the broader government to formalize the recognition of these absences, particularly for citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates. Following a wave of flight cancellations and delays linked to the military strikes across the Gulf, many Armenian travelers have sought assistance from the embassy in Abu Dhabi. According to diplomatic sources, these citizens are specifically requesting that their wages be maintained for the duration of their forced absence. The government is working to ensure that the financial burden of the regional conflict does not fall solely on the shoulders of the individual workers.