Belarus: demand for labor rights workers without layoffs
We reproduce an article by fellow Belarusian Independent Trade Union (Battles) for the union IndustriALL, employers to abuse. En lugar de resolver el problema de las condiciones de trabajo inseguras, German Deilmann-Haniel employer begins to lay off workers have signed Belarusians a legitimate appeal to the labor inspectorate of the State Industrial Belarus, affiliated with the Belarusian Independent Trade Union (Battles) It is campaigning for decent working conditions and job security on behalf of its members Deilmann-Haniel in. According to the union, any workplace can be safe, but not underground, where there are risks against which it is impossible to ensure. All underground work is dangerous and harmful to health and, Thus, It requires certification of the workplace. According to the results of certification, It is issued a hazard class, Additional guarantees are determined and payments.
Since 2017, German Deilmann-Haniel GmbH company has drilled wells in mining and mineral processing plant LLC Nezhinsky for "Slavkali". Belarusians both local workers and workers from Germany and Russia work here as diggers. Approximately one third of the work has been done, while construction should be completed 2022.
The German company Deilmann-Haniel has not enabled certification. The union believes that if working conditions were safe and in line with the standards bielorrusos, then the German company successfully approve certification. And since these jobs are not certain a priori, Deilmann-Haniel is looking for a reason not to perform certification, in order not to incur additional costs for additional payments to workers, or hire additional staff. further, Company employees face wage discrimination. Persons engaged in the same specialty and qualification get a different pay for the same work done, depending on your citizenship. According to workers, the Germans are in a privileged position, then the Russians are in the hierarchy and local Belarusians are in last place.
Workers Deilmann-Haniel who sought the help of the SIB claim that working conditions are unsafe. Some of the workers have work experience in JSC "Belaruskali", the fourth largest potash producer in the world. For their expertise, these workers know first hand the working conditions in the mines in Belarus. If it is impossible to ensure the workplace, the state provides compensation for work in hazardous conditions and / or harmful. In particular, a shorter working day (7 hours, no 8), An additional license 42 days above the minimum (total of 66 days), and extra cash. further, employees are covered by a supplementary pension insurance. The company must deduct 9% of their salary to the social security fund, and the employee then chooses whether he will retire 10 years before or if you take this money.
Collective appeals of workers to state agencies did not give any results. Instead of solving the problem, government agencies are looking for an excuse not solve. It has been four months since workers attended the inspection work. During this time, the employer managed to change its name to Redpath Deilmann and sign labor contracts with employees, but not all. Employees who signed a collective appeal to the inspection work, which are twenty people, They began to receive notifications of non-extension of their labor contracts. Coincidence? Not seem. At the meeting with the leaders of the SIB, German employer, Mr. Holger Hertel, He said the only thing he cared about was to operate the facility on time. Other questions not interested. And now, When only it completed a third of the work, It is dismissing highly qualified specialists and replace them with new ones, as evidenced by job advertisements for Redpath Deilmann
The Independent Union Belarusian on behalf of its members, employees of the German mining company Deilmann Redpath, It requires compliance with the Belarusian law. First, the SIB required to maintain the jobs of workers Belarusians, they have the legal right in this country to demand justice in the workplace, As to the German workers in the homeland of the German employer.
Raman Yerashenia
