Armenia`s Ombudsman office reports on visit to Kajaran

ArmInfo.The Office of the Ombudsman of Armenia has reported on the visit of  Human Rights  Defender representatives to the Kajaran community, where employees of the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine  are currently on strike.

According to the Ombudsman's office, during the meetings, employees  of the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Plant, in particular, raised  issues related to the wage revision, medical insurance, working  conditions, including exceeding permissible noise, dust, vibration  standards at production facilities, as well as sanitary and hygienic  conditions.

"Representatives of the Ombudsman also met with residents living in  buildings near the plant. Residents noted that ZCMC is in the process  of building treatment facilities to manage the waste produced at the  plant's production facilities.  According to residents, the facility  under construction is very close to a residential building and may  have a negative impact on the environment and human health. They  claim that the level of air pollution in Kajaran has increased  significantly, especially in the area adjacent to the facility, which  includes a residential building. They have also initiated a petition  on this issue," the HRD office said in a statement, noting that  relevant requests have been sent to the authorized supervisory  authorities.

The Ombudsman's office also stated that plant employees were not  properly informed about the legal requirements established  for  organizing and holding a strike. "Moreover, recent appeals to the  Human Rights Commissioner, calls to the hotline, media coverage and  publications on social networks indicate that this issue is wide  spread and affects not only the employees of the plant, but also  other organizations. In this context, the Defender emphasizes the  need for the state to educate the people about the legal mechanisms  for resolving labor disputes and holding strikes," the statement from  the Human Rights Commissioner's office continues. The Ombudsman of  Armenia also specifically emphasized that existing laws should not  hinder workers from addressing their concerns through strikes, and  the competent authorities should thoroughly investigate working  conditions and take  consistent action to find systemic solutions  promptly.