Minsk drivers resign in droves

As with construction workers, drivers are looking for a better life in Russia.

Belsat TV learnt that 34 drivers are going to quit from bus fleet Nr6 in Minsk.

“The average pay here is 1.5 million rubles. You can earn 2 million, but you have to work extra hours,” a driver says. “They often deprive us of bonuses – for delays on a bus route and additional repair of buses, though there’s not a direct fault of a driver.”

According to him, he and he colleagues try to find a job at freight companies, where drivers can earn 1.5-2 million rubles.

“Some people, especially young guys who do not have families, go to Russia to work,” the driver from bus fleet Nr6 continues. “We have applied to our director several times to raise wages. But he said the company’s losses this year are over 700 million rubles. It’s because fares are artificially understated and students use public transport for free.”

Valery Shkuratau, director of Minsk transport and communication company, notes: “Our rate of return is supposed to be 70% and 30% should be compensated by the state. In practice, it’s quite the opposite. The company earns only 30%, the rest is paid from the state budget, but subsidies are not always on time.”