Solidarity appeal
Ukraine: Galol Plant Workers Left High And Dry
ON 30 September, Ukrainian CWI members held a picket of the Ministry of
Justice in Kiev in solidarity with the workers of the Galol plant in West
Ukraine.
For over a year now, workers at this factory, which until recently was
the only plant in the Ukraine producing oil refinery equipment, have been
organising protests. The factory, as a result of its privatisation, has
been at a standstill since 2001. The so called "sanitation"
procedure, ordered by the courts to clear off debts, means the plant is
not operating.
Under this procedure an ‘investor’ promised to invest 11 million grivna
(US $2 million) to clear all wage and tax arrears, to restore production
and to guarantee all former workers a job. As a result, the workers are
not recognised as unemployed and, therefore, are not entitled to benefits.
But, as became quickly clear, the ‘investor’ did not have this money.
Intrigues
Following a number of intrigues, the factory was sold for just 2
million grivna to A Bashlovka (Vice President of the Ukrainian Association
for Social and Economic Support to Entrepreneurs). No-one of course showed
any concern for the fate of the 300 workers and this
"sanitation" has dragged out for three years.
The factory is being asset-stripped and the building is collapsing. The
judge responsible for the case is refusing to retract his decision and the
trade union boss at the dead factory is already working hand in hand with
the new boss.
Now the workers are forming a trade union of their own. Notwithstanding
numerous letters and appeals, the authorities have just ignored the
protestors. So, each week the workers organise a blockade of the railway
to draw attention to their case.
We ask readers to help put pressure on the Ukrainian authorities, the
judge responsible for the case, P Bilous, and the owner of Galol, A
Bashlovka. Send letters or faxes to the following addresses:
Ukraine, Kiev 01001
Ul. Khreshatik 16
Bashlovka Anatolii
Vice President of Ukrainian Association for Social and Economic
assistance for Entrepreneurs
Fax 0038-44-2290866
Ukraine, Kiev 01001
Ul Artema 89
Supreme Court of Justice of the Ukraine
Fax 0038-44-2386866
Please send copies of the protests to: [email protected]
