Фото: пресс-служба Лукашенко
The Uzbek side has no complaints regarding the employment of workers from Uzbekistan, Aliaksandr Rahozhnik, chairman of the Vitsyebsk Regional Executive Committee, said after reporting to Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
“Everyone is receiving the level of pay that was agreed upon from the outset. It is a good salary”, he told BelTA.
“All of them are qualified workers. Where necessary, we provide training in these professions. We are interested in livestock specialists, machine operators and construction workers. I see nothing wrong with this because we are not taking jobs away from anyone. These people are coming to us in good faith, and we should welcome them in the same spirit”, he added.
According to Rahozhnik, plans are already being discussed to build a major wood-processing enterprise and a large dairy farming complex.
It is worth recalling that a group of workers from Uzbekistan arrived in Belarus during the visit of the country’s president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Shortly after arriving, the workers recorded a video complaining about their living conditions and low wages. They later said that all the problems had been resolved. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Belarus was replaced.
Lukashenka also raised the issue of Uzbek workers during Rahozhnik’s briefing, comparing the situation in the Vitsyebsk region to a front line.
“The front line — fortunately a peaceful one — now runs through the Vitsyebsk region. You can see the weather and everything else… And you yourself have found yourself in the thick of it”, he said.
“Including the issue of the Uzbeks. Because they came to you first of all. But remember one thing: milk and meat come first. If there is a labor shortage, then by all means bring them in. Their wages are the third issue”, Lukashenka said.
According to him, Uzbek investors are ready to invest in production facilities in Belarus.
“They asked for products. We are interested in that. They are ready to invest in agriculture. Because how can you do without investment? Without dairy farming complexes and tractors, you will not get meat or milk. We are ready to produce everything necessary here. Not only in the Vitsyebsk region. We also need people in the Mahiliou, Homiel and Hrodna regions. But it has to be done in a targeted way”, Lukashenka said.