The history of CJSC “Volyn Silk Combine” has its roots in the 80s of the last century, when the Lutsk Silk Combine was built. At the dawn of its activity, it was considered one of the largest textile enterprises of the former USSR.
In 1994, by order of the State Committee of Ukraine for Light Industry, OJSC “Lutsk Silk Combine “Voltex” was formed. The largest block of shares was purchased by American firms “MGL-Corporation” and “Polytex-Corporation” – 24 and 25 percent, the state share was 26.22 percent. Among the causes of the enterprise's crisis were the failure of the main owners to fulfill investment obligations, unsuccessful restructuring, and inflationary processes. And since 2002, the form of ownership of the enterprise has changed several times, and new companies have been formed on its basis, in particular CJSC “Volyn Silk Combine”.
Since that time, production has been declining, and wage arrears to employees have been growing.
On September 21, about 50 representatives of the enterprise came to the regional state administration with complaints about non-payment of wages. To confirm their words, the employees brought pay slips for recent months. The amounts designated for payment were negligible.
Volodymyr Kets, head of the main department of labor, social issues and affairs for protecting the population from the consequences of the Chornobyl catastrophe of the regional state administration, came out to meet with the enterprise's staff. He promised to personally visit the enterprise, inspect the work of the workshops and meet with the management.
And so these days, a general meeting of the labor collective was held at CJSC “Volyn Silk Combine” with the participation of representatives of the regional state administration, regional institutions and organizations. The employees complained about the debt, negligible payments and uncertainty regarding the future fate of the enterprise. In response, the acting chairman of the board of the enterprise, O.A. Kropyva, reported that the debts for June-July of this year had been repaid, and the arrears had decreased by almost half. Regarding the activity of CJSC “Volyn Silk Combine”, he said:
— The enterprise is being transformed into a weaving and finishing factory, because it is impossible to compete with Chinese and Turkish manufacturers. Accordingly, there will be staff reductions – there will be no spinning production at all, and up to 400 people will remain at the enterprise.
— Moreover, intervention by the authorities cannot change this process, because the enterprise is a closed joint-stock company where there is no state share, — added Nataliia Safonova, head of the territorial state labor inspection of the region.
In response to numerous complaints from people, Volodymyr Kets recommended creating an initiative group at the enterprise that would protect the interests of employees, and registering with the employment center.