Epress.am News from Armenia
The parliamentary Standing Committee on Territorial Management and Local Self-Government from 12:30 to 2:30 pm today had planned hearings on the issue of street trade.
At the same time, demonstrators protesting the ban on street trade were gathered outside the National Assembly gates. A National Assembly representative approached the approximately 30 protestors and said a few representatives among them could come inside.
During the protest, the part of Demirchyan street leading to the president’s residence was closed since Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey was meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.
Speaking to the Epress.am correspondent, Arevik, who appeared to be about 60, said protesting street traders are being advised to apply to employment agencies.
“There they say, give us 3,000 drams [a little over $8 US], we’ll call you. We’re unemployed; we’ve been unemployed for 20 years. We try to earn [a living] through street trade. They open ‘cities’ [referring to Yerevan City supermarket], force us to go there and work… why don’t they let us sell our 2 pieces of socks?” she said.
Rumors circulating among street traders implicate that the governors of the various districts of Yerevan have been assigned the task of addressing this issue. The vendors hope that the rumors are true: they were even asking each other, “Today’s not April 1st, is it? Oh good, it’s not a joke,” referring to April Fools’ Day.
While this was going on, another Epress.am correspondent noticed how on the other side of the city, police officials were urging a lone woman on the sidewalk selling her wares to gather her goods and leave the area.