Dagestan: workers at Gimri MWT complain of working conditions

The workforce employed at reconstruction of the Gimri Motorway Tunnel (MWT) in Dagestan believe that their work is slavish, working conditions are inhuman, and the wages that get for their job are ridiculous. The administration of the Limited Liability Company (LLC) "Dorstroyholding" categorically objects and sees competitors' intrigues in such statements.

The plans to reconstruct the 4-km Gimri MWT, which was desolated back in Soviet times, were announced last May by the then President of Dagestan Mukhu Aliev in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" and "Gazeta.Ru". Now the tunnel is closed, and in this connection, according to Mr Aliev, residents of adjacent and high-mountain villages of Dagestan suffer from "some inconveniences." Mr President then noted that the reconstruction should be over in 2010.

"We work in inhuman conditions: the mine has no ventilation, we've nothing to breathe with, and the money we get for it is ridiculous. I work here for six months already, and I feel much worse. But I have to go to work, as nobody pays for our sick leaves," a borer at the Gimri MWT named Magomed told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

His viewpoint is supported by electrician Ibragim: "We are not paid the bonuses for the mountain, underground and night works, stipulated by the legislation." Besides, according to the electrician, the administration of the LLC "Dorstroyholding" would not pay for labour vacations.

The average salary of the workers at the Gimri MWT makes 25,000 roubles (about 830 US dollars, - comment of the editor). "It is two-three times less than at similar objects in neighbouring regions," the electrician asserts. "When I came to work here, I was promised that the salary will be decent, about forty thousand, by in fact it's a lot differently."

The workers employed at the tunnel reconstruction work by rotation: 15 days at work and 15 days at rest. The working shift lasts ten hours.

Drilling equipment and gasoline pumps work in the tunnel. "Ventilation is absent, we work in a gas chamber; last time they gave us respirators last December, and we have to buy them for our own money. For the time I work here, five colleagues got to hospital with tuberculosis," the electrician asserts.

Three meals per day, which according to the labour contract should be paid by the company, according to welder Sagid, are paid by the workers.

The welder has emphasized that any attempts to express discontent are fruitless. For the same reason all the workers who speak refuse to give their surnames: "The bosses have one answer: you don't like - you quit." People have to stay here because of hopelessness, the worker is sure: "A hundred is ready to come in place of any dismissed one. There's no work in the republic."

Djankhuvat Saifulaev, deputy director general of the LLC "Dorstroyholding", asserts that these workers' statements are far from being the first attempt to provoke the management.

"These are the intrigues of our competitors - those, who failed at the tender," Mr Saifulaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

As to payment of sick leaves, according to his version, the problem is that workers "are sick as out-patients"; they stay at home and wouldn't go to see a doctor. "We can't pay a sick leave, if they don't have it," said Saifulaev.

Aleidar Babaev, deputy director general on production matters, persistently asked to name the complainants. "I'm in charge of the proper working conditions in the tunnel and I competently state that all the necessary equipment for air extraction and ventilation is in place," Mr Babaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

He asserts that the workers in the tunnel are provided with respirators, and exclusively for the company's money.

The reconstruction of the Gimri MWT is under steadfast attention of the government of Russia and the president of the republic. "Instead of concentrating on fulfilment of our direct duties, we are constantly subjected to various checks; by the way, none of them has found any essential violations in the work of the LLC 'Dorstroyholding'," said Mr Saifulaev in his turn.