Armenian migrant workers in Turkey 

Near the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and St. Mary’s Cathedral is one of the most Armenian-populated district of Istanbul – Gum Gapin. The area is more populated by Armenians from Armenia. They are mostly illegal immigrants. We can say that Gum Gapin is kind of breath in Istanbul.

It is enough to go around in this street for 10 minutes and I can regularly listen to Armenian speech. For Armenians from Armenia, the important reason to live in this district is that house prices are available; we can say that it is one of the poorest neighborhoods in Gapin. Neighborhood shop windows often are striking statements to Yerevan flights and bus tickets. As can be seen from the the windows of grocery stores is the picture of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church.

Armenian migrants in Turkey are leaving within 30-day tourist visas, but many of them have been living in this country illegally for more than 15 years. Pols-Armenians say initially elderly used to come but now young families come here more and more.  Women work in homes as a nurse, as well at shoe and bag factories, shops. Men – in factories, construction, are also engaged in the jewelry industry. They are paid within the limits of 600-1200 dollars.

Full text in Armenian