Government conceals disastrous state of enterprises

• 24.11.2008, 15:11

A number of Belarusian industrial enterprises work four-day week. It has been informed by the co-chairman of the Belarusian Radio and Electronics Workers’ Union (REWU) Alyaksandr Bukhvostau. The regime refuses to give information about the crisis state of the economy.

According to the trade union leader, enterprises which supply their production to Minsk automobile plant: Belkard (Hrodna), Hrodna plant of pressworking, Asipovichy integral units works, Minsk gear plant. “According to my knowledge, demand for MAZ cars has dropped, and Russia stopped their purchases,” Bukhvostau said to BelaPAN.

“I do not have information about Minsk motor and tractor plants, as many enterprises have made this information closed,” the leader of the independent trade union said.

“besides, many plants mnove for a four-day week. Many people are sent to non-paid leaves, especially engineers and technical services,” Bukhvostau said. “According to our knowledge, it happens at many plants, and we collect in formation about that. I think this process is to widen”. As said by him, the same situation is at “Integral” industrial enterprise.

According to the REWU trade union chairman, “no people are hired to any plants, optimization of working staff is carried out. People are axed, employees with higher education moved to worker;s positions”.

The press-service of the Industry Ministry does not comment these reports. It is impossible to receive comments of administrations of industrial enterprises either.

As we have informed, on October 31 Alyaksandr Lukashenka noted during cadres appointment that the crisis is “helpful only for the strong ones”. “It is a check, an exam for the economy, the authorities and directors of enterprises. If managers are worthwhile, they are to endure this crisis,” he said. “I have warned members of the government that there is no crisis in the country, and no crisis is to be mentioned”.