10 Russian Workers Arrive in Armenia: Gyumri Locomotive Depot Drivers Protest

Drivers at the Gyumri Locomotive Depot are protesting once again. The cause of the discontent among more than 30 drivers this time is not an increase in salaries, although they noted that previous protests regarding this demand have yielded no results.

Currently, according to the drivers, the management of the Locomotive Depot has forced them to take a vacation starting today. They learned upon accepting their work shifts that they would not be operating the trains today, only to find out that new Russian workers have been hired. Meanwhile, they face the prospect of being unpaid during their forced vacation.

In protest of the violation of their rights, the drivers have submitted a complaint to the regional prosecutor's office and police. Officials at the Locomotive Depot have not provided explanations regarding the issue. The head of the Gyumri Locomotive Depot, Hambardzum Kurghinyan, has also refused to give clarifications to reporters.

Later, in a phone conversation with a SHANTNEWS.am correspondent, Hambardzum Kurghinyan clarified that no Gyumri drivers have been forced on leave and no worker's employment rights have been violated. He stated that this is merely a professional exchange for the drivers dispatched from the Russian Federation and is a temporary process, after which the local drivers will continue to work according to their normal schedule, and there are no reasons for not paying for the unworked days.

According to the Locomotive Depot manager, the number of working days and the corresponding salaries for the drivers are still being maintained. Regarding the salary increases, Hambardzum Kurghinyan assured that the promised increase of 10% would take place on November 1st.