The Kapan Metallurgy Kombinat CJSC has issued a letter describing the work stoppage by company employees demanding a pay hike as “not in accordance with the Labor Code regarding the organization of strikes.”

Employees at the company mine declared a work stoppage several days ago and are demanding a 40% wage increase. The company has offered a 5% increase.

The company also criticizes the hunger strike that six employees started yesterday in the mine, arguing that it violates safety regulations.

In its letter, the company argues that the strikers are preventing non-striking employees from working and receiving wages.

Management also claims that the strike will prevent the company from paying taxes to the government and will also negatively impact the local economy.

Management says it is willing to meet with a workers’ delegation to discuss a realistic resolution of the wage issue, threatening to fire those striking employees who do not enter into negotiations, but rather continue their “illegal actions”.