"Nairit" employees began sit-in demonstration

/By AzerNews/

By Laman Sadigova

July 30 brought the Armenian authorities yet another “surprise”.

Former and current employees of the "Nairit" factory commenced an indefinite sit-in demonstration in front of an Armenian government building, demanding immediate pay for wage arrears.

Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan said that Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yervand Zakharyan had announced that salaries would be listed in two days. The demonstrators, however, showed their distrust in the government and stated their intention to continue the sit-in protest.

Deputy Chief of Yerevan Police Valery Osipyan has, in turn, warned protesters that in case of the violation of public order, the police will be forced to remove them from the government building.

A total of 1,700 Nairit workers were formally discharged as of February 6. At this point, the total debt that the Nairit Chemical Rubber Plant—which no longer operates—owes to its former employees amounts to 102 billion drams (approx. $215,184,825). Around $15 million of these arrears constitute 18 to 24 months of unpaid wages for plant employees.

Nairit workers were promised salary pay only if they would forgo the penalties due for payment delays. Salaries are expected to be provided from the state budget at the expense of the profits of state companies in the energy sector.