Profit Fell 12 Times: What Happens in Factories Where Protests Began a Year Ago

Millions of debts of Belarusian enterprises are growing.

In August last year, at some large Belarusian enterprises, unrest began among workers who did not agree with the results of the elections and the violence of the security forces against peaceful demonstrators. Radio Svaboda looked at what's going on at those factories now.

MTZ

On August 14 last year, MTZ workers marched in a column to Independence Square in Minsk and joined the protesters. Then a strike broke out at the plant, some workers went on strike, some were fired by the authorities. The leader of the strike MTZ Siarhei Dyleuski was forced to leave Belarus.

Let's see what is at the factory now.

The net profit of MTZ for the last year was 8.2 million rubles; a year earlier, it was 12 times more according to the Unified Portal of the Financial Market. As of March 31 of this year, the plant owes 835 million rubles for short-term loans and 416 million for long-term loans. A year ago, there were tens of millions more debts.

MZKT

On 17 August last year, Lukashenka flew in by helicopter to the MZKT to reassure the workers, as strikes began in many factories. From the workers, he heard: "Go away!" When the screams died down, he said that he would not go anywhere, and the elections had already been held.

The plant's net profit for the last year was 7.1 million rubles; a year earlier, the profit was 3.1 times higher. Over the year, the plant's employees decreased by 307 people.

In short-term loans, the plant owes 101 million rubles (a year ago, it was 108 million), in long-term loans - 5.3 million (a year ago, it was 9.2 million).

BelAZ

On August 13 last year, BelAZ workers gathered in the courtyard of the plant, the workers asked questions to the plant's management, as well as to the chairman of the Zhodzina city executive committee Dzmitry Zablotski. Questions related to elections and violence against peaceful protesters.

Later, certain BelAZ workers joined the strike. The net profit of BelAZ for the last year was 30.8 million rubles. A year ago, the profit was 8.6 times more. The number of employees decreased by 571 people over the year. The plant owes 394 million rubles in long-term loans, which is 6 times more than a year earlier.

In short-term loans, the plant's debts are more than 1 billion rubles. During the year, the debt decreased by 28 million rubles.

Hrodna Azot

In August 2020, several thousand workers of Hrodna Azot joined the march in Hrodna. Many Hrodna Azot employees supported a nationwide strike in October last year. Then the employees of the plant at the entrance were forcibly detained by AMAP. About 30 people have been fired from Hrodna Azot since the start of a national strike last year on October 26. Some of them (13 people) tried to return to work through the courts but failed.

Last year, the plant ended with a loss of 85 million rubles; a year before, there was a profit of 82 million rubles. The number of plant employees decreased by 147 people during the year.

The plant owes 453 million rubles in short-term loans, which is 93 million less than in 2019. The plant owes 189 million rubles in long-term loans, the amount increased by 30 million over the year.

BMZ

All three furnaces stopped at BMZ in Zhlobin on 17 August. Part of the workers, protesting against election fraud and violence, blocked the road for technological transport at the plant.

Later, certain factory workers went on strike. Most of them were fired. The net profit of BMZ for the last year was 36 thousand rubles; in 2019, it was minus 159 million rubles.

During the year, the number of employees at the plant decreased by 277 people. The plant owes 3.8 billion rubles for short-term loans, which is one billion more than it was a year earlier. The plant owes another 1.2 billion in long-term loans, which is 164 million more than a year earlier.

MAZ

Part of MAZ workers joined the strike on August 17. In August, something like an "Italian strike" took place at the plant itself: some of the employees performed their duties formally, so the output in August decreased. Certain factory workers openly joined the strike.

MAZ's net profit for the last year was 142 thousand rubles; a year ago, it was minus 497 thousand rubles. In short-term loans, the plant owes more than 1 billion rubles; in 2019, it was 342 million less. The plant owes 487 million in long-term loans, which is 34 million more than at the end of 2019.