MTZ workers: Wages reduced, some departments work 3 days a week

Warehouses of Minsk tractor plant are full with unsold products.

A few employees stated that in their interview to Radio Svaboda.

They say the plant still experience difficulties. One of workers says some departments work three days a week.

- How does it work there now? What is happening?

- It is a hard time: no sales and no work. Some departments generally work a three-day week.

- How low are wages? How do people survive?

- They pay less, but we survive.

- What does the management say?

- Nothing.

- Does Belarusian economy move in the right direction?

- I cannot answer. It is not for me to judge.

Another worker told there were a great number of unsold vehicles in warehouses.

- What is the current state of the economy, in the enterprise? Does it follow the right direction?

- It is not getting better, I know for sure. I don't know what is going to happen next. But it should constantly move forward to create jobs, for people not to stay without work. And the situation like this should not occur. Look how many tractors unsold are there.

- Are you satisfied with your work here? What has changed?

- Some people like it, some people -not.

- What about you?

- I like it, but I wish the wage would be higher. However, it is a crisis.

- How does the crisis show itself at the plant?

- In sales of tractors, of course. Now almost nothing is sold.

- So, does Belarusian economy move in the right direction? What do you think?

- The management knows better. And it would be nice if they worked better, then the tractors would be sold in bigger amounts, and the salary would probably be higher.

It should be reminded that recently many enterprises have taken a short work week and employees have been forced to take unpaid leaves. Thus, in early March charter97.org received complaint from such enterprises as Gomselmash, Osipovichi Automobile Units Plant, Svetlogorsk Ferro-Concrete Plant, Bobruisk Plant of Tractor Parts and Units, Mogilevtransmash, Strommashina, MTZ, Gomeldrev, Minsk Bearing Plant, Belarusian Railways, OAO Vitebsk products and others.