Grodno Azot Worker: War Destroyed Achievements Reached with Ukrainian Straw Companies

The plant understands Lukashenka put the country under sanctions.

The war in Ukraine caused the chemical industry of Belarus to switch to "short rations". Not only the Western sanctions had an impact but also the loss of the sales market. An employee of Grodno Azot commented anonymously to Charter97.org on the situation at the enterprise, which has long been one of the flagships of the Belarusian industry:

- After the EU imposed sanctions, Ukraine remained the main market for the company's products for some time. The cost of Grodno Azot's products increasingly depends on gas prices. Thanks to Lukashenka's agreements with the Kremlin, gas prices were quite low, respectively - helped Azot to sell products under the most favorable schemes.

A large number of straw companies was created in Ukraine. It was built directly on the personal connections of former Deputy Prime Minister Igor Lyashenko who came to the post of Grodno Azot General Director. But the war destroyed all these achievements.

The director "trumpets" his work for the domestic market, but it is always either zero or negative. Collective farms receive fertilizers at production cost and the payment is made in Belarusian rubles.

- The enterprise had serious personnel problems. Did they worsen after the war began?

- Definitely they worsened. However, the war had little impact on it; the personality of the director is more important here. The number of qualified specialists is decreasing. No one could work well with Lyashenko. People were leaving the country before the war and continue to leave because of the political crisis, as well as the lack of security.

Many of those who left had a lot of experience. The equipment used by professionals was almost an extension of their hands. Experienced workers knew almost every emergency that might happen and knew they could handle it.

The newcomers are good workers. However, the experienced employees could teach the younger generation without creating this gap in knowledge sharing.

As for management, the issue is more complex. Their job is less responsible but no less meaningful. A more experienced manager can achieve more than a newly arrived one with newly arrived staff.

- Last year, Grodno Azot had a lot of technical problems, malfunctions, were they fixed?

- Every year the problems deteriorate. The money is being spent, but it does little to save the situation. The wearing of equipment is a serious matter. First of all, it is determined by age of some equipment. Secondly, by quality, and thirdly, if the equipment was bought before sanctions, some parts have to be purchased from manufacturer at regular intervals. It is possible to replace the equipment, but, one cannot put Russian parts in a German pump. It is extremely expensive to replace the entire pump. It requires high costs. Personnel problem affects the quality of repairs.

- What does happen to the independent union at the plant?

- The independent one has been completely destroyed. Those who were in it are having a lot of trouble extending contracts. As a rule, there are long conversations, threats. A man should prove that he is a specialist first.

- How has the financial well-being of workers changed?

- It's hard to answer unequivocally. Every situation is unique. If one looks at household spending, it has certainly decreased. People can't afford a lot of things. Despite the increase in wages, given inflation, it has fallen. Now it costs 20 rubles to buy essentials. Since the price growth is something usual, things are only getting worse with each passing month.

- Is there an alternative to Grodno Azot in Grodno, if you quit your job?

- If we mean technological staff, it is unlikely there is a place in the city for such specialists. If we mean electricians, many are self-employed anyway: some work as individual entrepreneurs, some are "black-flagged". One can say the same about the locksmiths, many work part-time in their garage. Again, many people work part-time as a cab driver. However, to find a place like that in the city, one has to try hard.

- How does the economic situation in such a regional city as Grodno look like in general?

- If one compares it with Grodno Azot, it's possible to survive. Given that it's hard to survive even with a salary at the backbone enterprise, one can barely imagine how people survive with lower wages. After all, the prices of utilities, food and general expenses are the same for everyone. Plus some have more than two children. It's hard to imagine how people who have built apartments make repairs, because the price tag on construction materials hits the ceiling.

- What kind of mood prevails among the workers? Do they understand who is responsible for the situation in the country?

- I think few people at the plant are sane, and more importantly, brave enough to say openly what they think about the situation.

Naturally, they understand that the war is bad, that Lukashenka has put the country under sanctions, the difficulties at the plant are due to the political crisis in the country, but they try to keep silent.

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