Sound editor from state TV on hunger strike over low pay (video)
On February 15, the sound engineer from the BTRC Uladzimir Zholudz declared a hunger strike. He said this in a video posted on the social network VKontakte. The purpose of the strike is to draw attention to "unfair assessment system of the complexity, quality and remuneration in television company."
According to him, his half-pay is 600 thousand rubles, the rest he receives from the fees for programs that have been aired. Zholudz decided to protest after he received payment for the latets major work - the preparation and the live broadcast of the national selection round for the "Eurovision".
BT staff member said that the preparation of the project lasted about a week from 9-10 am to 22-24 pm "without hot meals and a lunch break." "For this very technological and complex sound engineering work I received 600 thousand rubles," he said.
He also noted that this situation repeates itself each year, although the management did agree that one cannot live on such money. At the same time, on the other Belarusian channels - ONT and STV - the situation is better. Management said to Uladzimir Zholudz, that it has no money, so he can leave or make an appointment with the head of the media holding. The reception is scheduled for 23 February.
Zholudz notes that his decision whether to continue or terminate the hunger strike will depend on the outcome of this meeting.
