Mass layoff at Naftan

The company cut its staff by 600 workers.

Polymir plant of Naftan JSC has stopped the production of Nitron-C fibre, one of the main fibres for the country's light industry. The plant cut about 600 jobs.

Praca-by.info learnt it from Polymir workers.

They say that the plant stopped production on March 16.

“We were warned about the staff reduction. Trade unions did nothing to preserve jobs, but workers didn't show discontent either. The employer offered jobs at the plant, and most workers got other jobs, but about 200 people still don't work. Many agreed to be laid off. They, mostly pensioners, received 5 monthly salaries. Before the closure, our department was merged with another one that produces another fibre. Managers said production would be cut.”

According to workers, the same will happen at about six light industry plants in the town.

Ivan Sviatokha, the chairman of the primary organisation of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union of Naftan workers, confirms this information and notes that all laws and conditions of the collective employment agreement were observed.

“An employment commission was created. They heard case of each workers, and first of all workers with privileges. The commission meets twice a week until all employees get a new job. If members of our trade union are laid off, I visit meetings of the commission,” the trade union leader says.

He explains that the decision on staff reduction was taken due to losses of the plant.

“There are no such production facilities in former Soviet countries. Our plant was the last one. Of course, it's no good that production is closed, but the employer did everything it could to make the process less painful. It paid five monthly salaries as severance pay. So, pensioners even gained,” Ivan Sviatokha said.

Many companies work short weeks or force workers to take unpaid leaves. In the first days of March, charter97.org received complaints from Gomselmash, the Automobile Units Plant in Asipovichy, the Concrete Products Plant in Svetlahorsk, the Tractor Parts and Units Plant in Babruisk, Mogilevtransmash, Strommashina, the Minsk Tractor Plant, Gomeldrev, the Minsk Bearing Plant, Belarusian Railway, Vitebsk Products company and others.