Ulaanbaatar
"Erdenes Tavantolgoi"'s Labor Union chairman attempts self-immolation
PoliticsUlaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Labor Union called a press conference at 12.00 on November 13 at the National Information Center of “Zuuny Medee” newspaper. During the press conference, the chairperson of labor union of "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC S.Erdene set himself on fire.
He said “I would burn, if this is what it takes, for these young people”, emptied a bottle of gasoline on himself and attempted a self-immolating. A person grabbed a fire hydrant and extinguished the flames, while others were trying to help. Then, Mr Erdene walked barefoot from the “Zuuny Medee” building to "Erdenes Tavantolgoi"s office. He made no other explanations except for the statement “this is a form of protest”.
A decision was made last October 17 to transfer 203 workers, who then were working at east mine of Tsankhi, operated by "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC, to TT-JVCo.
"Erdenes Tavantolgoi" announced that it is transferring the personnel to the TT-JVCo without any change in their working conditions. The labor union noted that they had been working under management of Australia-based Macmahon Holdings and labor contracts with "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC.
According to the workers, "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" said,“Australia’s Macmahon Holdings have exited Mongolia, and a Chinese company has taken charge instead. Therefore, you are being transferred to the Chinese company”.
Protesting this decision, the workers demonstrated a sit-down for three days, demanding the withdrawal of over 200 personnel back to "Erdenes Tavantolgoi"s affiliation, and an immediate action of the collective agreement.
“Chinese company has decided to issue 33-month work guarantee, which is just eliminating the life guarantee for the workers who have bank loans. This is an illegal action and a breach of human rights”, the workers are saying and are carrying on their struggle.
