BMZ Workers Asked to “Go on Vacation”

• 1.05.2022, 23:15

What happens at the large Belarusian enterprises?

The media have recently reported how a Homel enterprise pays its employees only two-thirds of their salaries. The staff believes this reflects the production problems that arose after the withdrawal of numerous brands from the Russian market, where the products were sent. Following the release of the material, employees of Zhlobin BMZ contacted zerkalo.io. According to them, not everyone will be working at the plant in May either.

"The sanctions have made us so strong that we don't even have to go to work."

One of the plant management employees, Alexei (this and other names have been changed at the request of the interlocutors), says people there are offered to take seven days of downtime in May. It will be 2/3 pay, "although they promise to pay more". One asks to take another three days of unpaid vacation.

- There are rumours about the latter that it may not be necessary. The management says one can take the downtime if it does not affect the plan. I do not know how obligatory it is and whether anybody will monitor it. In April, we also had three days of downtime. Some of my colleagues took a couple of days this week [at the end of April] and three days next week [during the May holidays and weekends]," Alexei shared. - But an order says 10% of our unit employees should attend the parade on Victory Day.

Employees can choose days off on their own and coordinate with their supervisors. The man explains the reaction to the situation in the collective, and how it affects wages.

- One can just count 20 working days, seven of them - 2/3rd of full payment without bonus, and three are unpaid at all. It means about 25% less than usual. But my colleagues don't get too upset. Meanwhile, it can be a serious problem for other people, especially in manufacturing. Judging from what I have heard, the worst is yet to come in June.

The company has to take such measures now because of the sanctions and logistical problems caused by the war in Ukraine.

- Yes, the sanctions have made us so strong that we don't even have to go to work," the interlocutor says ironically. - Seriously, the last major contracts for high value-added products, European, of course, are coming to an end in May. If no alternative markets are found, some of the production lines will probably stop.

Viktor, an employee of one of the shops, says there is an order at the BMZ "to provide vacations at the employer's initiative in the amount of the tariff salary". According to him, no subordinates have seen the document.

- One offers to take a few days in April and May. There are many unloaded units, their employees take these days. People are told they will receive 2/3 of the tariff salary, no. It is almost half if one compares it to a full month and a bonus, according to my calculations. People haven't figured it all out yet, but many are outraged. Since we have holidays and the sowing season, a lot of people take these days. But it's different in every unit. Somewhere people go voluntarily [to take these days off], somewhere not. Someone has to take seven days, someone five.

Viktor also says the employees are offered to take unpaid leave. The explanation is as follows:

- The major production facilities are loaded by 50%. Some units are stopped in May: BMZ works only on prepayment, and previously signed contracts are not always possible to fulfil due to the delivery failure. The budget for some materials has been cut by 50%.

According to him, the problems with logistics are related to the hostilities in Ukraine - a significant part of the products went to Europe through the neighbouring country, specifically through Odesa.

- The situation could change quickly if they find new markets and delivery methods. However, the situation is pessimistic. People are getting ready [for the fact that there may be problems with work]: fewer entertainments, "let's plant more potatoes". As in the joke - "I'll make through it," the plant worker describes the reaction of his colleagues. - But 20 buses were sent to Minsk for the final hockey game Metallurg vs Yunost. It was a totally free ride.

"The main thing we should not pay for it"

The number of days is an individual matter, depending on the shop and division, confirms Kirill.

- Two shifts (day and night) are mandatory, and then they offer the following: those who need they can go, but not the whole brigade. People should remain to do the plan. We now have people who use days off from May 4-8, and after the 9th. As they explained, the pay will not be 2/3, but the official salary with the preservation of social benefits. It will not include only some bonuses.

Male colleagues also react differently.

- Some take it as a mini-vacation on May Day. Those who are older remember how it was under the previous head of the company in the 90s. But the main thing is that it is paid. If a person receives for a shift 90-100 rubles, it means 200 rubles for two. But let's see how much they will pay in the end. If something changes for the worse, it will be sad... I remember it has happened before - when we had 2/3rds, we saw no bonuses for long. Many people quit their jobs and went to Russia to work. When things got better, they came back, but no one accepted them," Kirill recalls.