What will happen if critical mass stays in Armenia?
Ethnographer Hranush Kharatyan does not blame any country, including Russia, for accepting Armenians and providing them with job.
Within the framework of a migration program launched by the Russian Federation, 711 families have already left Armenia and settled in distant regions of Russia. The Compatriots program of the Russian Federation has stirred up an uproar in Armenia, especially among those who believe it is contributing to a demographic problem in Armenia.
"Our fellow citizens are leaving the country at the state level. They used to leave Armenia before the launch of the Russian program. The only difference is that earlier people had to look for places before resettlement while today the Compatriots program has named its regions to be settled by Armenians," the ethnographer told A1+.
She says the program is not meant only for Armenians and is mildly saying "targeted at countries where not everything is in order."
Mrs. Kharatyan is concerned about the fact that the program attracts mostly able-bodied people.
"The program has age restrictions. People above 60 cannot apply to it. OSCE programs also offer similar conditions with restrictions in age. Moreover, they lay the main emphasis on the humanitarian factor, saying young people will go to their countries to work and send money to their elderly people at home. The question is why we flee from our country and agree to work in unfavorable conditions."
Asked why people are running away at a breakneck pace, Mrs. Kharatyan said, "People say they leave abroad in search of working opportunities. But I know a lot of people who have shops and business in Armenia but are leaving the country. They do it because they want to work within the pale of law - something they are denied in Armenia."
"No one can give the exact member of emigrants. Their number amounts to 50000-100000," the ethnographer said and added, "The figures show a dramatic change in the demographic structure, with an increase in the number of elderly people and burden of able-bodied people."
Kharatyan says migration will continue at the same rate until people feel protected in their homeland. She notes with pain that in 2025-2050 Armenia will be among the old countries as was predicted by the UN.
Commenting on Armenian Premier's statement that emigrants include the critical mass capable of making a revolution, Mrs. Kharatyan said: "I think that the prime minister made a joke, but the joke failed. Yes, the mass that is leaving the country is capable of making radical changes in the country."
