Political Policies Since Independence Have Always Served the Interests of Oligarchs and Officials: ARF-D

The Economic Research Office of the ARF-D has issued a statement on the occasion of Labor Day. The statement reads: 'On behalf of our Office, we sincerely congratulate everyone on the occasion of International Labor and Workers' Rights Day. This year, May 1 finds the Armenian worker facing new challenges and difficulties.

Unfortunately, since independence, the neoliberal policies implemented by the authorities have consistently served the interests of the wealthy, oligarchs, and officials. We continue to witness this today. However, the Armenian people did not build an independent state for the wealthy to exploit workers, nor for the authorities to squander the state budget formed by the honest sweat of Armenian people. Our statehood belongs to the entire people and to our future generations.

Our people have repeatedly proven their creative nature, and the ability of every Armenian to work for the well-being of their family is the foundation of our worldview. Our people have earned the right to dignified labor, but they have yet to earn that opportunity.

The rights of Armenian workers can only be fully realized under governments that view social justice, solidarity, serving the interests of the people, a state mentality, honesty, and integrity not as mere words, but as conviction and internal essence. There should be no working poor in our country. Long-term unemployment must be completely eradicated from the lives of Armenians. The protection of workers' rights should be a primary issue in both the current and long-term socio-economic development programs of the country.

Let creative work be a reality and continually accompany us in overcoming social difficulties. Therefore, the liberation of the Armenian worker and the true establishment of a just and social state still lies ahead. Only under the conditions of unification, growing self-awareness, self-organization, and the joint formation of political demands of the Armenian worker can their struggle for their own rights be crowned with success, which will ensure public solidarity, stable development, prosperity, happy creative work, family well-being, and a robust, secure, competitive, modern statehood.

Long live the creative Armenian person and their just work! Long live the struggle of Armenian workers for their rights! Happy May Day!