Survey in Yerevan: Armenian citizens feel like slaves

We can talk about the gravest socio-economic crisis in Armenia as much as we like, but no one will say describe it better than the residents of the "country of stones".

According to Caliber.Az, Yerevan.Today news agency conducted a survey in the streets of the Armenian capital to find out whether their living standards have improved compared with last year and whether they feel the announced "economic growth" by the authorities.

We must admit that the results of the survey are quite interesting.

According to one of those interviewed, life in Armenia is becoming unbearable. When asked by a journalist whether his income had increased in comparison with the previous year, the man answered, "How will it grow? How? Everything becomes more expensive, but the salaries remain the same. How can they grow? It is impossible. There is no economic growth? Who even talks about it?"

Journalist: "At one time Pashinyan said that every citizen is a prime minister. I recall his words of 2018. Does every citizen of the country feel like a prime minister?"

Same man: "Every citizen in Armenia feels like a slave. Only the rich feel like prime ministers. And the citizen today is a slave."

Another interviewee: "Everything is expensive. And pensions remain at the same level. Salary, too. How can you live a normal life in such conditions? You can't".

Journalist: "So your family's income has not increased compared to last year?

Same woman: "No, they have not. I am retired. My son and daughter-in-law work. But they did not get a raise".

Journalist: "And they say that there is economic growth...".

Same woman: "Maybe there was growth in some institutions, but not for us. Not for my family. Especially not for pensioners, who can barely live, counting every penny. Pensions need to be increased, salaries need to be increased, and hours need to be reduced. Tired and broken people work 12-13 hours to get 80-90 thousand drams. A pensioner cannot live on his pension. Personally, I am paid 43 thousand drams. If I were alone, if I didn't have help, I wouldn't be able to live. And it is very difficult to live".

Another interviewee: "In Armenia, everything is quite expensive. Even fruits are unaffordable."

Another interviewee said, "I am actually a tourist, but I see that people in Armenia live hard. The rise in prices is putting pressure on people."