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Independent Trade Union activist at Mazyr Oil Refinery on hunger strike

Yury Shvets, head of the Independent Trade Union (ITU)'s chapter at Mazyr Oil Refinery, went on a three-day hunger strike on Monday in protest against the alleged persecution of its members.

The organization has been under constant pressure from the management since 2008, Mr. Shvets told BelaPAN, describing its recent decision to dismiss five ITU activists as "the last straw." The employment contracts of spouses Henadz and Tatsyana Babrownikaw, Uladzimir Klyuchnikaw, Alyaksey Yarmak, and Ivan Shaban were no prolonged for far-fetched reasons, he said.

Mr. Shvets said that he would continue working during his hunger strike.

In an interview with BelaPAN, Henadz Tsetsyaruk, deputy director general of Mazyr Oil Refinery, said that the management of the company had been notified of its employee's protest. "He demanded that we reverse the reprimands issued to fellow members of the Independent Trade Union," Mr. Tsetsyaruk said. "However, we cannot accept his ultimatum. The disciplinary action taken against the individuals in question was absolutely legal. It's not clear why he has gone on a hunger strike instead of complaining to the industrial dispute commission or filing a suit."

Mr. Tsetsyaruk stressed that Maryz Oil Refinery was a well-performing company, and that its employees were paid well. //BelaPAN