Workers of Tsarukyan-owned company protest ongoing closure, seek clarity on jobs

Employees of Multi Stone, a company owned by detained opposition leader Gagik Tsarukyan, on Friday staged another protest as the firm's operations remained suspended for more than a week, saying they have been left without work, wages or information about when they may return to their jobs.

"We are all in a desperate situation," one employee told reporters. "Every day we come here hoping the workplace will reopen. We truly don't know what to do."

The protest comes after authorities sealed several companies and factories linked to Tsarukyan, the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party, including Multi Stone. The closures have left employees on involuntary leave, prompting near-daily demonstrations calling on the government to allow them to resume work.

Workers said they have received no clear explanation about the future of the company.

"There is no one to answer our questions," the employee said. "We need to know whether the company is going to remain closed so we can look for other jobs, or, if not, when it will reopen. We have loans to repay and utility bills to pay, but we haven't received our salaries."

The employee also said the company had been supplying stone for the construction of the Jesus Christ statue project initiated by Tsarukyan.

"That project is intended to promote tourism," the employee said. "The stone comes from our factory, but now we are unable to work."