The trade union receives numerous appeals from workers of the industry enterprises on the issue of wage increase, the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Mining and Metallurgical Trade Union of Kyrgyzstan Eldar Tadzhibaev has said.
The miners and metallurgists are demanding better wage conditions, namely, a two-fold increase in pay rates and official salaries. The income of some employees of the enterprises of the industry does not exceed 20,000 soms. At the same time, the average salary in the country in 2022 amounted to 28,800 soms.
“It should be noted that the republican budget is formed, among other things, thanks to deductions from mining enterprises. Miners and metallurgists work in hazardous, potentially dangerous industrial and special natural and climatic working conditions, mainly in shifts. Many workers are the only breadwinners in the family, support their families, and educate children. Most of the employees are forced to apply for mortgage, consumer loans in banks and microcredit organizations, and a significant part of the salary is spent to repay them,” Eldar Tadzhibaev said.
He stressed that the necessary conditions should be created for the stable and successful operation of mining companies – favorable tax and fiscal policies, a coordinated and comfortable regulatory framework, an effective system of state management of the industry, protection and support from the state, ensuring law and order at the local level. Negotiations are currently underway with the management of enterprises on the issues of raising the wages of workers in the industry.
“We also need state support in this matter,” Eldar Tadzhibaev added. (24.kg/Ukrainian metal)