Biaroza: journalists detained at ‘Nioman’ glass plant

Policemen detained journalists Aloaksandr Dzianisau and Aliaksandr Khilimon at the glass plant Nioman.

Aliaksandr Khilimon told to RFE/RL that he and his collegue were detained when they were leaving the plant, on order of the deputy director on regime.

Before this about a thousand of workers of the glass plant sent an open letter of protest to the Belarusian government and the Architecture and Construction Minister of Belarus.

Workers inform the minister Aliaksandr Seliazniou about the critical situation at the enterprise. As it is stated in the collective letter, with a violation of the law workers of some units of the enterprise have been made to work part-time without any compensation, salaries are regularly delayed and have considerably decreased, supplemental nutrition for harmful working conditions is given behind schedule, and the quality of food has deteriorated as well. Workers note that over the recent years the technologies remained the same, while production rate is regularly increased for them (the latest increase, planned for the end of 2009, is 20%).

As said by workers of Biaroza glass plant, they don’t see any way out and are ready for a strike.