Minsk Automobile Plant to move to three -day week

The Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) moves to a short week, it is to work only three days a week. Wages of workers are reduced, they lose bonuses and benefits, salaries are cut.

The Charter’97 pres center learnt about this news about moving of the biggest Belarusian enterprise to a short week from MAZ employees, who were said about it at plant. “MAZ has moved to three-day week since February 2. Days February 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 were announced idle time, we will receive two thirds of our salaries,” workers said.

Trade unions confirmed this information to the Charter’97 press center.

“Yes, I have learnt this at MAZ today. They won’t work on Mondays and Fridays. By the way, they didn’t work this Monday. Only the bus workshop will work. The rest, among them car workshop, reduce the working week,” Uladzimir Lazouski, head of the trade union committee of the Minsk city trade union branch, subject to the radio electronics industry trade union.

According to Uladzimir Lazouski, wages of MAZ employees may be cut seriously.

“Wages have been already reduced at the plant, workers have lost from 200 to 500 thousands rubles because they have to work part-time, they can’t receive bonuses and benefits. They earned 1,300,000–1,400,000 rubles, but now they earn 800–1200 thousand rubles. It’s only the beginning, the salaries will be lower,” the trade union leader said.

The Minsk Automobile Plant, as other Belarusian enterprises, fire employees. “It is common when the situation is unstable, it’s a problem not prolong labour contracts. MAZ doesn’t prolong contracts with workers who will soon retire,” Lazouski said.

the number of unsatisfied people is growing. “In my view, when people receive utility bills, which increased by 20 per cent, when they see pay sheets, grass roots protests will be possible. Mood of workers is very critical,” the trade un ion leader stated.