Tear Up Your Applications, Throw Them Away: Tsarukyan to Araratcement Employees

For 16 years, I have always respected you, listened to you, and addressed any issues you raised, said the Chairman of the Prosperous Armenia Party, Gagik Tsarukyan, during a meeting with employees of the Araratcement factory.

“Tsarukyan fully understands the problem and its solution. When there were no cement factories in Iran, their trucks would wait for days to take cement from us. Over these years, we have worked together, giving 7-10 trucks a year to employees; not even in the times of the communists did such a thing happen. We appreciate our workers,” Tsarukyan stated.

He noted that after the revolution, promises must be fulfilled so that people can live in better conditions. “I am a self-made man. I understand that it is necessary to carry out an economic revolution, but not just in words, rather in practice, to ensure that all sectors receive funding,” he added.

Tsarukyan emphasized that he was against layoffs. “In the National Assembly, the commission proposes to let 400 or 1000 families become unemployed, but how can that be? I offer a rehabilitation program that will allow action to be taken, to provide opportunities for people to live comfortably. Now, cement is coming from Iran at a lower price. During the previous government, there was a $200 tariff; we managed, there was no problem, but then the new authorities came, who were unaware of the issue, and abolished the tariff. Now they say let the clincker not pay a tariff, but pay for the cement. We also say, if that’s the decision you have made, we will bring clinckers as well, so the factory does not collapse. I am upset with the commission—why are you leaving everything to Tsarukyan? Is there only one Tsarukyan in this country? I have been angry, I have submitted applications to you,” Tsarukyan said.

He mentioned that he would raise this issue in parliament again tomorrow.

“Tear up whatever is written in your applications, throw them away,” Tsarukyan told the employees of the cement factory.