Brestgazoapparat begins to work shorter weeks

The crisis has hit the biggest plants of Brest.

Workers have to work shorter weeks or take compulsory unpaid leaves. The state of the economy in Brest and Belarus in general can be illustrated with the fact that the city's biggest plant Brestgazoapparat, a manufacturer of famous Gefest gas stoves, introduces four-day working weeks on Friday, May 29, charter97.org learnt from a reader. The plant has problems with sales. “Rumours are circulating among workers that the plant is going to collapse. If Brest's biggest plant that sells its products in all corners of the Customs Union has problems, what can we say about others?” the reader writes.

Brestselmash plant has been working three days a week for a year. A new director is unable to attract additional investments and bank loans. Discontent with the director among workers is growing. There are rumours that another director may be appointed.

Brest's food industry has hard times, too. Workers have to take unpaid leaves. “Employees of Santa Bremor plant were shocked yesterday. Managers ordered them to take two unpaid days off and told workers to quit if they didn't agree,” the reader reports. Other food manufacturers in Brest – Savushkin Product, Brestskoye Pivo, Brestskoye Morozhenoye and others – also make workers take unpaid leaves. “The only Brest's company that does not have any problems with sales is Belalco distillery. Demand for alcohol, especially in crisis, remains high. The opening of a new shop of Belalco proves it,” the reader concludes.