Worker of Avtogidrousilitel plant: We cannot feed our families

The plant has been working with problems including three-day working weeks, idle periods, delayed wages, for three years.

Charter97.org learnt it from a reader who works at Avtogidrousilitel plant in Barysau.

On August 30, 2011, Lukashenka issued decree No.388 that formed Avtokomponenty group of companies consisting of Avtogidrousilitel and 11 other plants. The reader thinks it created many problems for workers. The plant's debt is growing. We have to work three or four days a week. The plant delays holiday and sick pay. It even began to delay our miserable salaries.

The situation began to worsen after the plant joined the group of companies. Wages haven't been increased for the past three years. They began to lay off people. A worker dismisses and the vacancy is crossed out.

Workers began a strike after their wages were delayed again. Charter97.org wrote about it. We haven't received wages for the past month, though they must be paid by October 25, according to the collective employment agreement. How can workers pay utility bills in this situation? How can they feed their families and children?” the reader wonders.

He writes that most workers were ordered not to work starting today until the end of the month, but a special order wasn't issued.

“We cannot say that all problems were caused only because our plant joined Avtokomponenty group of companies. The tendencies at industrial enterprises are also important, but the current situation greatly affects the plant's performance and welfare of its employees,” he writes.

Many plants across Belarus are reported to work three or four days a week, delay and cut wages and make workers take unpaid leaves.