Mass layoffs at Barysau plant of engine units

As many as 216 workers will be laid off.

Dzmitry, a reader of the website barysau.by, sent a document signed by Andrei Labachou, the director of the Barysau-based plant of engine units. The plant plans a “personnel optimisation” in 2014, which supposes mass layoffs. One of seven workers will lose his job.

The staff cuts will affect most departments and workshops.

It is planned that 1,204 out of 1,420 workers will continue to work. Managers plan to dismiss people every month.

We remind that Belarusian PM Mikhail Miasnukovich said in an interview with the programme “Kartina Mira” (Worldview) on RTR-Belarus TV that the country needed unemployment.

“We often say about responsibility of directors or chief designers. This is clear. But if hundreds of workers are fired from one plant for violation of labour discipline and then go to another plant on the other side of the street, it mustn't be like that. We should have a labour market. If a worker doesn't feel other workers breathing down his neck, he will do his work badly. At least, his work will lack quality sometimes,” he said.

Answering a question if unemployment was needed, Miasnikovich said: “We need it.” An unemployment rate of 3-4% will be enough, he thinks.

“If we discuss market relations, we should have a labour market. The employer has the right to hire the best employees,” the prime minister said.