ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih CEO Paramjit Kahlon has decided to increase the payroll at the enterprise from May 1, 2018 by UAH 1.1 billion from the approve level of some UAH 3 billion and return to the increase of salaries in October if the situation is favorable.

As reported on the website of the primary trade union organization of the workers of the metallurgical and mining industry of Ukraine at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, the agreements were reached at a meeting of the conciliation commission on May 23 to resolve a collective labor dispute that the CEO visited.

"The CEO said that at the moment the production situation at the enterprise is complicated. The plant suffers huge losses, however, after having held a number of negotiations with the trade union, Kahlon decided to increase the payroll by UAH 1.1 billion (from current UAH 3 billion) The revision of salaries from May 1, 2018 must be made with the focus on the key enterprise professions," the trade union committee said.

In turn, Kahlon said in his Wednesday's speech to the employees of the enterprise that he had been negotiating with the trade union committee over the past two days about the increase in wages in 2018, although the administration had already made a decision before to raise wages starting from May 1.

"But there were certain questions from the trade union on the key professions that we revised with the union and we found a solution that is beneficial to both sides," the top manager said, stressing that this increase in wages means an increase in the payroll by UAH 1.1 billion in addition to the approved payroll.

Kahlon reminded that ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih has a large social program.

"This year we are going to spend UAH 391 million on social programs and about UAH 400 million on investments in labor protection, which is part of our social obligations," he said.