Epress.am News from Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia — December 4, 2023 — The recent bus drivers’ strike in Yerevan has come to an abrupt end after the municipality fired 39 drivers, effectively dismantling the protest and quelling the unrest. The strike, which began on December 3, had been organized by bus drivers who were demanding a pay raise and better working conditions, promises that had been made by the city’s administration but never fulfilled.
The municipality responded to the strike with harsh rhetoric, labeling the striking drivers as “saboteurs” of the city’s public transport reform. Officials also accused the workers of blackmail, with Yerevan’s press office warning of potential criminal consequences for those involved. By the evening of December 3, the local government had terminated the employment of 39 drivers who had participated in the strike, effectively dispersing the protest.
Despite the end of the strike, the drivers’ grievances remain. The issues they raised were largely ignored by the city authorities, who instead defended the pay as “sufficient” by the standards of the “labor market.” Bus drivers are currently earning between 219,000 and 400,000 AMD (about 500 to 1,000 USD) per month, but many argue that these wages fail to cover the high costs of living in the capital. Drivers also face grueling working conditions, with many working up to 16 hours a day, often without breaks.
One striker shared with Epress.am during a sit-in protest that lasted for hours before the firings, “We work around the clock, often eating while driving. The job is physically draining, and most of us have spinal issues from sitting for long hours. But medical insurance doesn’t cover the treatments we need.” He added, “We don’t get proper rest, we have to pay for our uniforms, and even after all that, we’re told our pay is ‘adequate.’ It’s simply not enough, especially with the rising costs of living.”
In addition to the physical strain, bus drivers say they are left with no option but to cover extra costs themselves. Many drivers are forced to pay for taxis to get home after midnight shifts, and they’re also responsible for cleaning the buses — costs that quickly add up. One of the strikers expressed frustration, saying, “They compare our wages to doctors, but doctors don’t have to bribe anyone to get treatment. I just paid $500 for a cesarean for my daughter-in-law. Who are they fooling?”