Workers of Slonim Worsted Factory ready to go on strike
22- 23.10.2014, 14:34
- 29,369
Their wages were cut by 400,000 rubles.
About 200 out of 300 workers of the worsted factory in Slonim signed an appeal to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. They ask to cancel the order of the factory authorities “On the implementation of the Council of Minister's resolution No.744”. In accordance with the order, the salaries were not indexed, praca-by.info reports.
“Each of us lose about 400,000 rubles. It is a rather big money for people. Our wages are from 3 to 4 million rubles,” factory workers say. “Two thirds of workers signed the appeal. The rest are angry too, but the factory authorities threaten them with the KGB. Workers of one of the shops are really scared.”
The workers plan to send the appeal to the ministry on October 23. They are ready to go on strike if the order is not cancelled.
According to resolution of the Council of Ministers No.744 “On salaries for workers” that took force in August, the growth of wages is linked to labour productivity growth. The first clause of the resolution reads: “In state-owned organisations and organisations with the state's share of more than 50%, the growth of the nominal average monthly salary is possible only if labour productivity growth is faster; if the condition is not fulfilled, the wages for the reported month shall be cut to the level to match labour productivity growth.”
Henadz Fiandynich, the leader of the Electronics Trade Union, thinks it was a big mistake to issue such a resolution.
“The resolution has economic logic: we should not increase wages without grounds (and thus boost inflation rate) if they are not backed by labour productivity. Its aim is not to cut wages, but to prevent their ungrounded growth. Resolution No.744 must be applied only to the salary itself and bonuses, but it shouldn't affect indexation and social allowances that have no relation to labour productivity growth,” Henadz Fiadynich says. “Salaries are indexed in accordance with the current legislation. But officials left a loophole for employers. Directors can now refer to resolution No.744 and cancel the indexation. The resolution harms workers, so it must be repealed. I think the reaction of workers in Slonim is right. The mistakes of the state and factory administration should not be compensated at the expense of workers.”
