This Might Be a Grandiose Corruption Scheme: Arthur Khachatryan

Thousands of Indians working in various sectors in Armenia may be involved in not only corrupt but also trafficking schemes. This was stated by Arthur Khachatryan, a member of the 'Armenia' faction, during a Q&A session with the government in the National Assembly today.

According to the response received from the State Revenue Committee (SRC), 1,106 citizens from India have entered Armenia for work in 2023. In contrast, data provided by the migration service indicate that over 25,000 individuals from India have arrived in Armenia this year. 'The number of scooter drivers is at least 10 times more than that 1,106. How many are employed in construction? These people are not registered in Armenia, they are not paying taxes. This is evidently a grandiose corruption scheme; it could be a grandiose trafficking scheme,' Khachatryan stated.

He pointed out that people are being recruited in India, arriving in Armenia, and are being provided jobs without paying a single dram in taxes. He raised the question: if the government is diligently trying to tax Armenian citizens who go abroad for work, why is the same diligence not applied to those who come to Armenia for work?

'This is evidently a large underground business,' said Khachatryan. There are 20,000 to 30,000 Indian workers in Armenia. Tourists are coming in small numbers, according to Kerobyan.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan considered the raised issue legitimate, stating that everything must be done to bring these individuals into the tax field. Khachatryan continued his line of questioning, emphasizing the need for specific recruitment points in India to send these people to Armenia, just as there should be reception points here in Armenia.

Pashinyan responded to Khachatryan's inquiry by noting that all this indicates there are jobs available in Armenia. It is not the case that everyone can find their dream job, but, according to the head of the executive branch, going abroad for work has become somewhat of an inertia.