The
results of the visit to Kajaran community by representatives of the Human
Rights Defender’s Office on February 6 have been summarized.
During
the meetings, employees of the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine raised
various issues related to the revision of salaries, medical insurance, and
working conditions, particularly the permissible levels of noise, dust and
vibration in workshops, as well as hygiene standards.
The
representatives of the Human Rights Defender’s Office also met with residents
of buildings adjacent to the ZCMC.
The
residents noted that a filtration station is currently being built at the ZCMC,
where waste from the company's workshops will be processed.
According
to the residents, the station is being built too close to residential building
and may have a negative impact on the environment and human health.
They
stated that air pollution has significantly increased in Kajaran and a stench
has spread in the area adjacent to the station and in the residential building.
They added that a signature collection has been initiated regarding the issue.
Issues
related to the mandate of the Human Rights Defender have been addressed to the
relevant inspection bodies upon the Defender's instruction.
It
was registered during the visit that the employees of the combine are not
properly informed about the legal requirements for organizing and conducting
strikes.
Moreover,
complaints addressed to the Human Rights Defender, calls via the hotline and
monitoring of social media and mass media publications indicate that this issue
is systemic and concerns not only the employees of the combine but also to
employees of other organizations.
In
this context, the Defender emphasizes that the state should carry out
continuous awareness-raising activities on the legal procedures for resolving
collective labor disputes and organizing strikes.
It
should also be noted that the Human Rights Defender has consistently addressed
the issues related to the exercise of the right to strike in annual reports
over the years. For instance, in the 2023 annual report, the Defender stated
that although the right to strike is enshrined in the law, the procedures for
its implementation are quite complex, making it practically impossible to
organize a strike in compliance with the legal requirements.
In
the context of legal regulations on strikes, although some positive changes
were made in 2023 to reduce the requirements for organizing a strike, they are
still insufficient to ensure the proper exercise of the right to strike in
accordance with international standards.
The
Defender specifically highlights that the existing legal regulations in the
state should not create practical obstacles for employees to raise relevant
issues through strikes. The competent authorities should conduct a detailed
study of issues related to working conditions and remain consistent in their
efforts to find systemic solutions in the shortest possible time.
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