Workers run away from “Belwest”
- 10.11.2008, 18:13
Workers of the joint Belarusian-Russian footwear factory “Belwest” in Vitsebsk quit as they are not satisfied with the conditions of work and low salaries.
Because of that the administration of the enterprise dismissed the deputy director on ideology and work with personnel. He is allegedly responsible for not fulfilling his duties, Radio Svaboda informs.
As said by a shoe assembler Viktar Shlyakhtsin, who works at “Belwest” for 4 years already. Problems of the enterprise started since it stopped to be Belarusian-German, and turned into Belarusian-Russian. Old employees remember that they were given large bonuses for holidays, besides they were given 4 pairs of shoes a year. But there are almost no such workers left: many people leave, as they do not want to work in the unhealthy trade for 400-600,000 BR a month and with almost no days off.
“People quit, and new ones do not come. I work and observe: a new worker comes, and after a week of work he sees that he is to inhale glue, dust, and wages are low, and he is o longer here. The plan cannot be fulfilled because of that, there are no workers. People are transferred from one section to another, from one process to another. And now, over the last months, it has become noticeable that worsening is taking place,” Viktar Shlyakhtsin said.
Speaking about deterioration of their conditions, workers of “Belwest” complain that advance is no longer granted to them, and that they have to work on Saturdays in order to fulfill the plan.
Workforce drain has caused the situation when the well-known Belarusian brand is to be saved by China: shoes details are sent there, and China workers sew bases, which later are transported to Vitsebsk and finished there. Chinese workers are ready to work for the same $200-300, and do not complain about the 12-hour work.
Outsourcing practice (transfer of production abroad) is widespread all over the world. However, at Vitsebsk “Belwest” it has become a signal of internal crisis of the enterprise, which cannot stop its workers from leaving.
