Polatsk – Shklovalakno reduces social benefits

In January workers of the enterprise faced three unpleasant surprises.

Firstly, their advance payments were decreased. Thus, workers of the 3rd degree are paid Br1 million 400 thousand of advance payment, workers of the 4th degree – Br1 mln 600 thousand, 5th degree – Br1 mln 800 thousand, 6th degree – Br2 mln. Earlier workers could receive up to one half of their wages as an advance payment, praca-by.info writes.

And secondly, in connection with the difficult financial situation expenses for cultural and sports events for employees have been halved.

And thirdly, workers have received notices from the administration concerning suspension of the collective labour contract in the part of payment of material aid for health rehabilitation in addition to the leave (which is about Br2-4 mln for today, depending on the employee tenure) and retirement pay (5 average monthly payments of the worker with a working life of 20 years). The administration of the plant says they have no money for payments under the collective contract, and promises to renew payment in case of receiving of profit.

Praca-by.info asked the chairman of the primary organization of the Free trade union of Polatsk-Shklovalakno Viktar Stukau to comment on the decisions of the works management.

- We are going in the wake of the general economic situation in the country, such things happen not only at our plant. It is enough to look at our region – social benefits are suspended at Naftan as well. Unfortunately, we do not have a practice when in hard economic conditions the management consults workers. With the help of puppet trade unions, which are a part of the Federation of the Trade Unions of Belarus, it is very easy for the administration to change paragraphs of the collective contract, which could not be fulfilled by them. This time the trade union Belkhim [of the chemical industry] was to promote interests of people, but in reality their opinion was not asked by anyone. Workers recall the year 2011, when social benefits were limited as well, but returned after a certain period of time, and hope the same is to happen this time again.

The free trade union is constantly making steps to become a participant of the collective contract. Not long ago, after oral consultations we sent a written enquiry to the administration of the enterprise and to the Belkhim trade union and asked whether it is possible to join the collective treaty as an additional agreement, which would eliminate discrimination against our members. Now we are waiting for a written answer, – Viktar Stukau said.