Tax Hike Protest Erupts Outside Yerevan Government Building
Business owners in Yerevan have once again taken to the streets to protest against recent changes to tax legislation. The demonstrators are calling for a personal meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to address their concerns.
This is the second protest in the span of just ten days, with participants highlighting their frustration over the doubling of the turnover tax rate for trade businesses from 5% to 10%. The protest also comes after the submission of a petition signed by 2,350 citizens to the government during the previous demonstration.
The business owners have outlined three main grievances: the increase in turnover tax, mandatory inventory requirements, and a 20% fine for undocumented goods discovered during inspections. They argue that these changes are disproportionately affecting small and medium-sized businesses, putting immense pressure on them.
Despite reaching out to the government multiple times, the protesters claim that Prime Minister Pashinyan has not yet fulfilled his promise to listen to the concerns of all citizens. As tensions continue to rise, the business owners are determined to have their voices heard and seek a resolution to the issues at hand.
