Strike on Kumtor mine causes huge damage to the state – Orozbek Duysheev

Strike on Kumtor mine causes huge damage to the state. It was announced to journalists by President of Mining Companies Association and Chairman of Public Watch Committee at Geology and Mineral Resources State Agency Orozbek Duysheev.

That’s how he commented the stop of works at largest gold mine of Kyrgyzstan. Part of employees have announced a strike today and demand increasing of salaries as they had been obliged to pay charges to Social Fund.

According Orozbek Duysheev “the strike is illegal”. “According the law citizens must pay taxes and charges to Social Fund. Company must pay a part of it and other part is paid by employees. And where is a conflict? I think such protests are being boiled by a group of people who want to use conflict between the company administration and its workers with benefit. Incomes from Kumtor Operating Company give a crucial part of the state budget. That’s why Government should intervene in this situation. Not only has the budget suffered from the strike, but international image of Kyrgyzstan. If there is a conflict situation then it can be solved through negotiations without any strikes,” consider Orzubek Duysheev.

According him for the last years the investment image of the country has suffered hard. “Who will invest to Kyrgyzstan when they see all these strikes or endless protests against mining companies? I guess, there won’t be any “volunteer” who would invest money,” considers the expert.

According him, “the most hurtful thing in this situation that all this happens because of somebody’s ambitions and interests”. “The current strike may have negative influence on running down of the Centerra Gold stocks which also threaten to the state budget. The State should finally impose an order in mining industry,” stressed the Association Chairman.