Workers from India in Gdynia Shipyard

10 Feb. - A group of welders from India is employed in Gdynia Shipyard through a sub-contracting company Drewnica, which in turn is a customer of a work agency SM Associates. The workers were promised to be paid 800 USD per month, however, before they left India, they had to pay from 2500 to 3500 USD of air fare, medical insurance and horrendous amount between 1600 - 2500 USD for Polish visa - which is an absolute scandal! As the Indian workers said to "S" representatives interested in the working conditions, they were promised increases of wages after six months of work - and according to the employing company such an increase took place by reducing the working time from 10 to 8 hours a day. Some of the workers refused to work in such circumstances, but they were in turn denied their meals. As the wages of the Indian workers are directly transferred to India, they did not have the chance to buy any food, and it took the intervention of the Shipyard management and "Solidarnosc" union to make Drewnica give the workers meals. "S" also found out that the medical care for the workers is insufficient, and the living and sanitary conditions of the Hindu workers are improper. One of the workers, according to his colleagues, had to cover himself costs of departure to India when he decided to terminate the contract. Any attempts of expressing demands for better treatment and discontent are cut with threats of firing the workers. "S" of Gdynia Shipyard is trying to assist the Indian workers.