Mettalurgists of ArcelorMittal Temirtau ask for pay rise

Chairman of Zhaktau metallurgists trade union Vladimir Dubin insists on a salary increase for employees of ArcelorMittal Temirtau, KazTAG reports. As per the chairman, the company’s profit in 2010 made $8.5 million, which is 52 percent higher than last year. Vladimir Dubin said the time had come for employers to share their surplus profit. The policy of low wages is outdated and the salaries rise will help to increase production, he said. The chairman said that food and utilities prices rise makes the issue of wages increase especially acute. As per the trade union, average monthly wage of ArcelorMittal Temirtau employees makes 87 thousand tenge ($600). Earlier Tengrinews.kz reported that Zhaktau trade union and administration of ArcelorMittal Temirtau managed to come to an agree on the issue of staff redundancy. The company management called off its plans to cut 137 jobs. Contracts with 2921 employees were terminated in 2010.