Employees of cement plant in Ararat protest against its closure
15.04.2019,
17:40
Employees of a cement plant in the town of Ararat in the same-name Armenian province are protesting against its closure, refusing to go to their work places.
YEREVAN, April 15. / ARKA /. Employees of a cement plant in the town of Ararat in the same-name Armenian province are protesting against its closure, refusing to go to their work places.
A few days ago, they were sent notices of dismissal because of the planned closure of the plant.
The plant’s managers say the closure is prompted by high production costs, making it impossible to compete with imported Iranian cement.
A motion circulated in parliament calls for amending the Law on State Duty and protection of local cement producers. The amendments call for setting the duty on import of cements at 22 thousand drams per ton and bring the prices of imported cement in line with locally produced cement.
The import of cement to Armenia has increased significantly in recent time. The fact is that energy prices in Armenia’s neighboring countries which also produce cement have dropped substantially in recent time. As a result, two local cement plants, which have the production capacity of 2 million tons a year, cannot even sell e a third of their products domestically.
However, many lawmakers are opposed to the motion, arguing that the rise in import duty would create greenhouse conditions for cement producers to the detriment of developers.
Deputies from "My Step" bloc suggest that local plants increase productivity and upgrade their equipment and boost competition. Otherwise, according to the deputies, it will be more profitable to import Iranian cement. The deputies also believe that granting preferences to one of the industries can lead to discontent of manufacturers in other sectors. ($ 1 - 485.02 drams) -0-
A few days ago, they were sent notices of dismissal because of the planned closure of the plant.
The plant’s managers say the closure is prompted by high production costs, making it impossible to compete with imported Iranian cement.
A motion circulated in parliament calls for amending the Law on State Duty and protection of local cement producers. The amendments call for setting the duty on import of cements at 22 thousand drams per ton and bring the prices of imported cement in line with locally produced cement.
The import of cement to Armenia has increased significantly in recent time. The fact is that energy prices in Armenia’s neighboring countries which also produce cement have dropped substantially in recent time. As a result, two local cement plants, which have the production capacity of 2 million tons a year, cannot even sell e a third of their products domestically.
However, many lawmakers are opposed to the motion, arguing that the rise in import duty would create greenhouse conditions for cement producers to the detriment of developers.
Deputies from "My Step" bloc suggest that local plants increase productivity and upgrade their equipment and boost competition. Otherwise, according to the deputies, it will be more profitable to import Iranian cement. The deputies also believe that granting preferences to one of the industries can lead to discontent of manufacturers in other sectors. ($ 1 - 485.02 drams) -0-
