India’s Ambassador to Armenia, Nilakshi Saha Sinha, has arrived in Ijevan in connection with the strike by Indian workers demanding higher wages. The news was confirmed by Mher Mirzoyan, director of the textile company, Sputnik Armenia reported.
“At this moment, the Indian ambassador is here, and we are trying to find common ground,” Mirzoyan said, adding that details of the meeting will be announced later.
The factory employs 205 Indian citizens and 170 Armenians.
Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan has also responded to the situation. She stated that, in order to examine the rights-related issues raised by foreign workers, as well as concerns over their rights protection and working conditions, a representative from the Ombudsman’s Tavush regional office held a private meeting with several employees on August 6.
“All human rights-related issues are summarized within the Ombudsman’s office and will be referred to the competent state authority. Within her mandate, the Ombudsman will remain committed to ensuring that labor rights are properly respected and protected,” Manasyan wrote.
On August 7, reports emerged that several dozen Indian workers had blocked the Ijevan–Yerevan interstate road the evening before, demanding their wages. The company’s director later clarified that the workers had in fact been paid but were demanding improved working conditions. He added that they have three-year employment contracts and that the raised demands could not be met.
