Salihorsk Miners: "Everyday Risk Worth More Money"
- 3.02.2016, 11:28
There is a myth about good living of Salihorsk miners: high wages, social protection, health care.
In the interview of Radio Svaboda employees of Belaruskali say that it is not exactly this way, especially in crisis. Although wages here are really high.
Matfei Khvostsikau, 21 years old:
- When I was a child I wanted to be long distance lorry driver or civilian pilot. Now I work as miner in a breakage face. It is real to earn $1000, but it is not common.
It is hard to get a job here. Many people have to knock on the doors of officials for months. Sometimes they succeed. After a college I was sent here. Today my salary is not as high as I'd like to. It is hard to measure health with money. The devaluation also affects.
Money is one of pluses of the job, but the devaluation the thing that counts. The health state is the minus. To have a sleep is the best relaxation; I have a "floating" schedule and can work both at weekdays and weekends. It is not good to have a day off at weekdays; there is no person to spend it with.
"Over two years I have not managed to save a lot of money."
I do not plan to work here for the rest of my life. As soon as I get a higher education I will quit. Miners of my age, perhaps, used to have a car, an apartment. Over two years I have not managed to make a lot of savings.
What concerns about a lifetime. There are people who feel good at the age of 50-60, but there are those who pass away right after retirement, although there have been no health problems earlier.
Now only supermarkets and shops are being built in the city. I would be nice if they built a theatre or a good cinema here. There is no place to go to relax. So, I leave for Minsk to relax.
Aliaksandr Kuznetsou, 25 years old:
- I used to dream of doing something at my leisure. And I did it. I used to work in mobile phone outlets. I worked as seller and expert.
I have a technical education. I did not want a hum-drum job. At the age 25 I decided to try my luck in Belaruskali. I had all skills needed as well as commitment with a slight touch of arrogance, calmness under pressure and good skills of locksmith of control-measuring instruments.
We have a good atmosphere at work, but we should work hard. Wages are not so high. I do not have enough experience yet. Miners earn much. The salary is high, but we can stay at home for half a year.
"Easy money is a myth"
Work in mines is some kind of legacy of parents. That is the reason for apartments and cars bought in such a young age: parents can help. Is our life interesting? I traveled across the country. The one thing I've found out the richer a person is, the more parsimonious he is.
It is hard to find a job in Belaruskali on your own. I had a lucky set of circumstances. Miner's salary may reach a thousand dollars. But it is not common numbers. Many people spend them on stocks, real estate, deposits. These are an additional income. But in general, easy money is a myth.
Andrei, 22 years old:
- I did not plan to become a specific specialist when I was a child. But I did not want to be policeman or military man. I'd like not to mention my profession. It relates to economy.
I have an eight-hour working day with a lunch time. I seldom leave for home. I usually have to finish my work. I have much work to be done. I used to hear that salaries at Belaruskali are extremely high. I hasten to let you know that it is false. An average salary is Br6-7 million for those like me. It is a maximum after graduation.
Of course, miners earn more. But they work extremely hard. A friend of mine may get a thousand dollars or a bit less, but it is dangerous. I think it is not enough for it.
There are difficulties while employment. It is a usual practice now. But if to set a goal and knock on doors of high officials then you may succeed. It may be not the most paid position at once, but it is possible to take courses or get a higher education.
Salary is a hot-button issue now. Two-three years ago I dreamed about such salary. But dollar cost Br9 000 then. But those who work within their specialty do not earn such money even in the capital.
There are enough disadvantages, but I'd like not to wash our dirty linen in public. Of course, there are enough pluses. Belaruskali has the best labour contract in the CIS. Employees here have a good social protection. There is enough benefits, holiday trips and so on. But the Soviet system still remains. Many things should be changed.
"Work is unhealthy, and the retirement age is low"
It makes no sense to stay in Salihorsk for the rest of my life. I'd like to run my own show in future. But the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Finally I have found out what means to be a part of something enormous. It is a giant enterprise and I can feel it. The health state suffers, especially when you work in chemical industry. There is enough hazardous activity on the surface, say nothing of work in mines. The activity is hazardous, many people pass away at the age of 50-60.