Truck drivers protest outside the Armenian government building
YEREVAN, October 13. /ARKA/. On Monday, truck drivers in Armenia staged a protest in front of the Armenian government building, calling for a solution to the restrictions on the duration of stay in Russia for specific categories of migrants.
"They (authorities) previously claimed that these 90 days did not apply to truck drivers, and we felt reassured, but it turns out that it does apply to us as well," stated one of the protesters.
The drivers highlight that due to ongoing delays at the border (specifically at the Upper Lars checkpoint - ed.), they are compelled to exceed the designated time limit too rapidly, leading to complications.
"Ninety days is insufficient; drivers exhaust these 90 days within 10 months, and this will adversely affect our nation's economy," the protesters assert.
They are urging the Armenian government to address this matter and ensure that the restrictions imposed by the Russian Federation are eased, allowing drivers to enter Russia without obstacles.
It has been previously reported that, effective January 1, 2025, citizens from visa-free countries, including Armenia, who enter Russia for non-work purposes, will be permitted to stay in the Russian Federation for a maximum of 90 days per calendar year (as opposed to the previous rule of 90 days within every 180 days). This limitation affects truck drivers, passenger carriers, pilots, flight attendants, aircraft maintenance staff, train operators, and others.
Foreign nationals who have breached this regulation had until September 10 to rectify their residency status in the Russian Federation to avoid administrative penalties. Sanctions include a three-year entry ban (for overstaying by 90-180 days), a five-year ban (for overstaying by 180-270 days), and a ten-year ban (for overstaying by more than 270 days).
In the past month, heightened controls have been enacted, resulting in numerous Armenian citizen drivers being added to a special register of violators. -0-
