Employees of Yerevan’s Rossia market staged a protest after being asked to vacate their current spaces. According to Sputnik Armenia, the vendors gathered at the market’s entrance to voice opposition to their proposed relocation.
“We’ve been working here for 30 years, renting our spaces. The alternatives they’re offering don’t suit us. Can’t we defend our interests in this country?” said one vendor.
A representative of the market’s management, speaking with demonstrators, clarified that workers are not being dismissed but are being offered relocation to other premises — reportedly at the Yerevan market. However, many vendors have rejected the offer.
“Imagine you're renting a house, and the owner wants to renovate. You can’t just say, ‘we’re against it.’ No one is evicting you; they’re just asking you to return later,” said the management representative.
One vendor claimed the true reason behind the move is that their rented space is intended to be handed over to several well-known retail brands.
“All these people are about to lose their jobs. Many of us have outstanding loans. Let them renovate, build fancy boutiques even, but let us return. Even if the rent increases a bit, we want to stay in our spots,” said a female vendor.
Some participants asked journalists not to politicize the issue.
One protester showed reporters their lease agreement, which is valid until 2030. “If we want to terminate early, we must notify them 20 days in advance. But according to the contract, they have no right to remove us,” he explained.
During the protest, vendors organized a petition demanding the right to return to their stalls after renovations and requested at least one year to sell their imported goods.
