Traders returned empty-handed
Tradespeople of Yerevan's "Hrazdan" fair crowded near the government building today morning. They came to know the answer to their written-complaint addressed to Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan two days ago.
It is already three days the traders have gone out on strike demanding the government to slash their rents by 50 %. They say unwilling to pay the fair owner, Republican MP Ashot Aghababyan, a rent of 225000-285000 drams. Ashot Aghababyan has put down the rent only by 30 000 drams.
"Aghababyan says we have to pay him taking into consideration the currency rate of the day. He is convinced that sooner or later a dollar will be bought at 500 drams," say the protesters.
"In the given economic state, Ashot Aghababyan had better support us instead of exerting pressure on us," say the traders.
It is already a month the fair has carried out no trade. The traders say they will soon be joined by wholesalers who have also appeared in a hopeless condition. They have to pay 170 000 drams every eight days.
The traders state most of them are in debt as they have drawn on bank to import goods and conduct trade. "How can we pay off the loans?"
Alexander Ghazaryan, senior government representative, met the protesters and persuaded them to leave the area. He said they are either to follow the rules of the game or to find a new job.
The traders returned from the negotiations empty-handed.
Overally, 2000 people are employed at the fair.
