Atlant workers complain about coldness in workshops

For about a week the workers of Baranavichy machine-tool plant have been working in non-heated workshops.

“We put on a couple sweaters, overalls, waistcoats, scarves, boots, two pairs of socks, two pairs of trousers”, - the workers told praca-by.info web-site.

The heaters on the walls were turned off after frosts ended in Belarus.

- People work all dressed up. We put on a couple sweaters, overalls, waistcoats, scarves, boots, two pairs of socks, two pairs of trousers, - the workers said. – The administration say they are going to change the whole heating system in workshops. Why in winter, why not when it is a warm season?

Since the start of 2014 there has been a new director at Atlant’s Baranavichy machine-tool plant. According to workers, after the change of the management it turned out that the enterprise was in a lamentable condition.

- Apparently they are simply saving on us, since the plant is all in debts. Probably, they think that slaves will take it as it is, - the workers said.

Last Friday it was 12 degrees in the plant’s industrial premises. Sanitary requirements prescribe for the temperature not to go below 16 degrees in winter, a technical inspector of Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BCDTU) Uladzimir Lazouski points out.

- Although, there is a paragraph, which says that if the employer is unable to ensure the observation of sanitary requirements due to economic, technical or other reasons, then the employer must take measures for neutralizing the negative consequences. For example, the employer could introduce additional breaks for warming up and hot tea, provide additional working clothes, - BCDTU’s technical inspector explained.

Uladzimir Lazouski also gave an example of the situation at Polatsk Steklovolokno in summer last year. When enormous heats came, the workers were provided with sparkling water.

BCDTU’s technical inspector advises the workers at Baranavichy machine-tool plant to hold negotiations with the employer on the compensations for working in conditions, which do not meet sanitary requirements.