Ryzhany Residents Hold Onto Work With $ 30 Salary

A decade ago, the furniture factory in Ruzhany was an exemplary one.

The company provided Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan with its sofas and tables – up to 80% of the products went for export.

Currently, the company has more than $ 1 million of debt

The factory produces to stock, and workers are not happy with their holidays.

"We have been standing idle since the 1st of May, the office at the top is working, but we are standing. And before we were paid at least one and a half million, and now it’s only 60 rubles," – enterprise workers told Belsat.

It is not so simple to find another job in Ruzhany – besides the furniture factory, there is only a collective farm and a sanatorium, where there are no vacancies at the moment.

"The regional executive committee conducted a fair of vacancies, one person was offered to go the farm, all the rest – to wait for a job until September-October," – women complain.

Where did the crisis begin?

The production at the enterprise started to decrease as early as six years ago, as it was no longer possible to sell furniture abroad, as before. In addition, during the inventory in the warehouses, there was found a shortage of Br 600 million (non-redenominated). Former head of staff Uladzimir Kushnarou and his wife were accused of it.

The factory sued the former head of staff

Now he has to pay off the damage in the amount of Br 270 million (non-redenominated). Uladzimir does not plead guilty and notes that he would be physically unable to take out such amount of goods from the warehouse.

To deal with the debts, the management decided to sell one of the two furniture shops to a private business owner – although the director does not state the amount of the contract and the name of the new owner.

"Until the contract is signed, there is no disclosure of the military secret, if the contract is concluded properly – then, go ahead," – Vasil Barys, the furniture factory director, told Belsat.

The employees are not quite happy with the news.

The change of the owner does not guarantee that the people will remain at their workplaces.