22 Sep 2009 15:23

Evraz could lay off some 1,000 workers at two plants before end of 2009

KEMEROVO. Sept 22 (Interfax) - The Evraz Group's two plants in the Kemerovo region, West Siberian Iron & Steel Plant (ZSMK) and Novokuznetsk Iron & Steel Works (NKMK), could lay off some 1,000 workers before the end of 2009, the regional administration's press service said citing Kemerovo Governor Aman Tuleyev.

Tuleyev took part in the first meeting of a supervisory board on problems in the metals industry on Tuesday.

"Some 1,000 people are tentatively subjected to dismissal starting from October 1 and before the end of the year," the press service said.

Employees who retire will be paid five monthly salaries, or about 90,000-100,000 rubles per person. Laid off employees will be given five monthly salaries as well as material compensation totaling no less than 150,000 rubles. "For those who want to invest in their own business, the sum could be increased to 200,000 rubles based on a decision by the supervisory board," the press service said.

Interfax was unable to obtain comment from Evraz on the possible dismissals.

The Kemerovo press service said that an additional 600 jobs will be created at metals plants in Novokuznetsk before the end of 2009. In particular, 380 jobs will be created at the Novokuznetsk Aluminum Plant, 112 at the Abagur Enrichment Plant and 100 at Kuznetsk Ferroalloys.

ZSMK and NKMK are two of Russia's biggest metals plants.