Workers have to work 10 hours a day on Gorizont plant (Video)

Those showing discontent receive threats of dismissal.

A man working on Gorizont plant wrote to charter97.org to express his anger over unbearable working conditions.

A Chinese firm signed a contract with Gorizont plant for producing 90,000 Toshiba TV sets during three months. Workers cannot produce the necessary amount working 8 hours a day, so managers decided assembly line workers must work 10 hours a day. Those raising their voice against the initiative received threats to be fired. Moreover, representatives of the Chinese ordering party control the production process and take photographs of workers. Workers get severe reprimands for being even one minute late.

“We were told about a month ago we would work 12 hours a day for a double salary,” a worker says. “We refused. They then offered to work 10 hours and a day-off on Friday and hinted Friday will possible become a working day. They said we would be fired if we refused. One of the workers said working brigades could start talks to launch a strike. This idea brought managers down to the earth for a while, but later working hours were extended.”

“We have to work from 3:30 till 11:50 pm in the second shift. People are late for public transport due to extra hours. Many of the workers, mostly young people, quit. We earn as street cleaners for the skilled  high quality work we do. Labour conditions are unbearable. Temperature is +30°C outside, but it's even hotter inside. We cannot talk, use cell phones, wear rings, necklaces and bracelets on the workplace. It's like in prison. The Chinese are always here taking photos and video,” a Gorizont worker complains.

The video was taken illegally, so the picture quality may be bad, but ti's heard the workers are angry over the situation.