20 May 2004 13:50
Hunger strike at Russian mine continues - radio
[Presenter] The number of hunger strikers at the Yeniseyskaya mine in Khakassia has increased to 170 people. It has
been announced today [20 May] that if the mine's lessee, Anatoliy Makhmudov, does not find money to pay the wage
arrears in full, the lease on the mine's annual output will be taken away from him. The deadline expired at 1400
local time [0700 gmt]
[Unidentified RIA correspondent in Krasnoyarsk] This decision was taken today by members of the special working group
headed by the acting head of the Khakassian government, Vasiliy Tsygankov. Fedor Gerasimov, the chairman of the
republic's trade union federation, has told me this. He added that the total debt at the mine exceeds R4m [about
138,000 dollars].
Makhmudov has been promising by telephone since 14 May to find the money and deliver it to the mine but has not kept
his word so far. "He has been given the last warning, after that he will be considered bankrupt and the agreement
with him will be broken," Gerasimov said. This will give the Khakassian government legal grounds to pay the arrears
itself.
Gerasimov said that the hunger strike which started on 17 May is continuing and two strikers who are in a serious
condition have already been taken to hospital.
[Radio Russia] |
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