The citizens who go to Baghramyan Avenue in the morning and in the afternoon have noticed that during these hours there are limited number of protesters gathered in the Avenue. In fact, there are a number of reasons for the limited number of people. One of the main reason is the heat, therefore the protesters prefer relaxing in the daytime to come back in the evening full of energy, refreshed and fresh. The other reason is that many of the protesters go to work in the daytime.
Although, in the interview with Aravot.am, a number of protesters expressed concern that because of participating in the protests against the electricity price hike, their employers have dismissed them. For example, one of the members of the coordinating group, who did not to introduce himself to avoid further escalation of the situation, told, “Initially, my employer made me face the dilemma: either you choose the work and do not participate in the protests or vice versa. I naturally chose the path of the fighting.”
One of the protesters, Armine Kirakosyan, does not have hope that she will be hired back to work. “I do not go to work on these days, I am not dismissed from work actually, but I do not know, perhaps I will not go back to work, because I do not hope that after all I will be hired again.” One of the protesters, Gayane Ashughyan, assured the majority of protesters are facing this problem. Telling about herself, she said, “I was working for Tashir pizza. One day, they asked for my documents and passport, and then they told me that I am no longer their employee as I am taking part in the protests.”
One of the protesters also told that she was on an unpaid leave to be able to participate in the sit-in in Baghramyan Avenue. Another protester was slightly annoyed and said, “The money that I had saved to invest in my own business was used up on these days. Of course, I am a little annoyed, but I do not regret because it was used up for the solution of the problem that concerns to all of us.” We were curious to know what he did with the money, he said that he has used it to buy food, drink and the various items of necessity. Note that earlier the member of “No to Plunder” initiative, Maxim Sargsyan, also told to “Aravot” that he was dismissed for being involvement in the civil movements.
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Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
