BISHKEK (TCA) — Miners’ unions in Kyrgyzstan and the management of China’s Full Gold Mining have come to an agreement in a labor conflict at the company’s mine in southern Kyrgyzstan.
Full Gold Mining said on January 5 that it was dismissing 370 Kyrgyz miners who were working at the Ishtamberdi mines in the Jalal-Abad region, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported.
Regional officials said that the miners had refused to accept amendments to their contracts that would have decreased their salaries. The officials said that contradicts Kyrgyzstan’s Labor Code.
Full Gold Mining officials have said they are unable to prevent salary decreases due to “ongoing financial issues.”
The miners warned that they will start mass protests unless they are reinstated with their previous salaries.
On January 8, all parties of the conflict met with the head of the State Committee for Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use, Ulanbek Ryskulov, 24.kg news agency reported.
The management of Full Gold Mining LLC explained that in order to rectify the existing difficult financial situation at the enterprise, the company decided to reduce costs. In particular, it is proposed to reduce the payroll of the company’s employees, removing a number of bonuses.
However, the head of the Mining and Metallurgical Union Eldar Tadzhibaev did not agree with such proposals. He said that the employees of the enterprise had already met the company leadership halfway by agreeing to freeze their wages until the company gets profit.
State Committee Chairman Ryskulov noted that the company’s management should work strictly within the legislation of Kyrgyzstan, and the Labor Code prohibits worsening the working conditions of employees.
“Constructive mutual understanding has been reached almost on all issues. The procedure for drafting a collective agreement has already been started,” the Committee said after the meeting.
