Workers from Haradok: How should we survive for Br900 thousand per month?

This money may be paid out to 300 workers in Vitsebsk district.

- We do not know what to do, - farm workers say (Lazhany village, Haradok district, Vitsebsk region). The farm belongs to ОАО "Haradok Regional and Agricultural Supply". It is an agricultural enterprise, engaged in milk and meat cattle production, "Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus" writes.

We are passing the farm. There are old milking machines and a wood-burning stove to heat water. There is a wood-burning stove in the "Lenin room" (a small workers' locker room). It is also the place where milkmaids dress up. Seven workers are waiting for us. Only 11 people work here.

-Over the last year we have had four directors. And our salary is getting low, the workers complain. - We got less money in November than it was in October. We were paid out Br1.2-1.8 million and also we had partial payments. First we were paid Br700 thousand then we got the rest money.

-And just after New Year all the foremen were put together and told that we had to live within our means. There they were told that due to financial difficulties all the workers would be paid out only a half of their salary. We saw the order, they say. It means that they will run payroll calculations only of Br900 thousand or maximum of Br1 million. And we will get even less.

- And what should we live for? We have taken loans to buy something. The utilities only may cost almost the entire salary. Gas is increasing in price. Every month something is getting more expensive. –Creditors are calling and writing papers in court. And now they keep back some money from the salary. And all it's because we are not paid as it should be.

- What should I do if my husband and me work here and earn only Br1.8 million, a thin woman says.

- My wife is a disabled person and I need Br600 thousand to buy medical drugs, the worker Siarhei says.

They pay only Br553 for the transfer of 100 liters of milk. In winter we have 1.2 thousand liters of milk on the farm. And we transfer them on our own. It costs only Br6400. Even with the best scenario when a cow will give 3000 liters, for the transfer of milk from 200 cows all the farm workers receive a little more than Br3 million in a year.

We have an old equipment, the fridge does not operate as it is needed, in summer milk is souring. And for all this they withdraw money too, the workers say on our way to the refrigerator. It is really old. Milk is cooled with a tap water. In summer it heats and cannot cool milk.

-And why don't you resign? -the journalist asked.

- There are already some of them. Earlier, there were almost 700 people in the farm, and now we have only 288 of them. - Well, we have houses here, in other case we would quit, the workers say with a farewell. - You know, we do really want the President see your article. He would definitely put all to right.