Tsarukyan's factory workers continued protests in Yerevan and Abovyan.
Employees of three enterprises associated with the arrested leader of "Prosperous Armenia" Gagik Tsarukyan held protests demanding the resumption of their work. Inspections can be conducted without stopping the factories, and prolonged downtime poses a threat to production safety, the protesters stated.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the enterprises of the head of "Prosperous Armenia" Gagik Tsarukyan have not resumed operations a week after his arrest. Their employees held protests, stating that they risk being left without means of livelihood. Workers of the "Araratcement" plant managed to open the sealed enterprise on July 9, while Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan threatened them with dismissal for participating in the protests.
On July 7, the court arrested the leader of the opposition party "Prosperous Armenia", billionaire Gagik Tsarukyan, for two months, accused of fraud and tax evasion. Prior to this, on July 6, law enforcement conducted searches at Gagik Tsarukyan's home and in all his companies. Several opposition forces in Armenia called Tsarukyan's detention political persecution. During the election campaign in May, Pashinyan stated that the "Araratcement" plant, owned by Tsarukyan's family, would be nationalized. After that, the prosecutor's office announced a case regarding violations during the privatization of the enterprise. Before the elections, the prosecutor's office filed a lawsuit demanding the annulment of the privatization of the "Araratcement" enterprise.
Protests took place today in Yerevan and Abovyan - a city located ten kilometers from the capital. Participants in the protests included employees of the "Multi Tobacco", "Ararat", and "Multi Stone" enterprises: according to them, the actions of the authorities have left thousands of workers associated with the politician in uncertainty, while the enterprises could operate alongside inspections.
"Multi Tobacco"
Employees of Tsarukyan's tobacco company are demanding either permission to resume work or a clear schedule for downtime. They demanded to be informed how long the closure would last. "We need to know how we should solve our problems," said one of the employees.
Due to market issues, production has been idle for the last three months, but during this period, employees continued to receive salaries. However, payments for June have not yet been transferred. Protest participants also demanded the release of Tsarukyan and stated that during the forced downtime, the state should compensate workers for their losses, reports Armenia Today.
"We are not asking for charity; we are demanding our work. Let them open the factory so we can work normally and support our families," the publication quotes a protest participant's words.
Among the workers of "Multi Tobacco" are about 20 displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh. "I was able to get this job thanks to kind people. This is a very good team. We were all warmly welcomed. We all need to pay for rent and education. Where are we supposed to get the money? We are not accepted elsewhere," said one of the refugee workers.
The man added that after relocating to Armenia, he could not find work for about a year, reports Panorama.am.
"By condemning Tsarukyan, the authorities are condemning about 15,000 workers of his enterprises," quotes the words of protest participants Arminfo.
"We are all up to our ears in loans and debts. This cannot go on. We have been sitting without work for nine days. If the factory does not open, we are ready to do anything," said another employee, whose words were quoted by Aysor.am.
"Ararat"
Employees of the Yerevan brandy-wine-vodka factory "Ararat" also demanded the opening of the enterprise and conducting inspections without stopping production.
According to protest participants, 500-700 people have been left without work. In addition, the closure of the factory has affected about 1,500 of their family members.
Workers warned of the risk of an accident in the center of Yerevan: a large amount of alcohol has accumulated in the pipes of the equipment, the containers have not been emptied, which in the heat could pose a danger not only to the factory but also to neighboring buildings, reports "Voice of Armenia".
"Multi Stone"
Workers of the Abovyan enterprise "Multi Stone" demanded that investigators remove the seals and restore their right to work. The factory gates have been sealed since July 6, and employees have been in forced downtime for the eighth day. Police have gathered near the enterprise where the protest took place, but those gathered stated that they do not understand the reasons for their presence.
Protest participants headed to the Abovyan investigative department and warned that they might block the Yerevan-Sevan highway. Questions to Tsarukyan, they emphasized, should not deprive workers of their earnings. After the Investigative Committee did not respond to the appeal, the protest continued, reports Armenia Today.
According to workers, there is equipment inside the factory that requires constant monitoring. Lack of access for specialists to it could lead to technical malfunctions and safety threats.
"Our prime minister is traveling all over the country, taking selfies. Does he at least think about the fact that 15,000 people have been left without work? Who will think about us?" expressed indignation one of the employees, whose words were conveyed by Pastinfo.