Factory, built by Lukashenka's order, not paying wages to workers

Workers of "Sladkaya Strana" (Sweet Country) are not paid out wages due to enterprise's economic problems.

There are a number of Vitsebsk factories which have problems with paying out wages to their employees. All the more facts appear scandalous with wages delay on a new enterprise, built by Lukashenka's order. A few years earlier the dictator stated the enterprise would operate under advanced technologies, there would be hundreds of jobs created for residents of Khimy, Lipki villages and immediate surroundings. It was assumed that the demand for confectionery-sponge rolls, pastries and cakes, would be extremely high, and factory would operate on a double-shift basis, and completely displace Russian manufacturers of similar products from the Belarusian market, and 30% of the products would be exported. It was announced that the factory would produce about a ton of sweet products per hour and after seven and a half years it would justify the money invested, Radio Svaboda reports.

Lukashenka's Decree No. 57 of February 4, 2013, approved Bank for Development to spend a credit of €15.7 million on a grandiose construction of the new factory. The enterprise received means under safeguards of the Vitsebsk Regional Executive Committee. The construction took 6 hectares, and last August "Sladkaya Strana" launched first long-awaited sponge cake rolls. They were sold in Orsha, Talochyn and Shklou regions.

Since 2015 the factory was supposed to bring profit. Two years ago there were approved duties of Sladkaya Strana. If production is not profitable, the enterprise must return to the budget the money spent as government support.

New products, produced from local raw materials, did not become popular among consumers. Cheaper confectionery from Russia still predominates in stores. Workers of Sladkaya Strana are not paid out wages on time due to enterprise's economic problems. The factory, which was promised to be the most advanced enterprise in the region, is among 77 enterprises of Vitebsk region that are unable to pay their employees.