‘The mine is the village’s only job site, but there have been layoffs’: Sotk resident

A resident of Sotk village, part of the Vardenis community in Gegharkunik Province, spoke with Marz.news about the challenges of living there.

“We are originally from Martuni and have lived here for 35 years. Of course, this is our land and water—we’ve built our lives here, our roots are here. When we came here, my kids were still little. I have three sons, and my daughters-in-law are like daughters to me,” said the resident.

According to him, the only place to work in the village is the local mine.

“There’s no government salary coming into our home, and there are many, many difficulties. We have to wait until fall to sell potatoes and livestock. It’s seasonal. There are no jobs—only the mine is operating, but there have been layoffs, and most folks in the village have lost their jobs,” the resident noted.