Belarus loses 4 percent of metallurgical workers in 2022 – official stats

July 16, BPN. Belarus’ statistics service says the number of workers in the country’s metallurgical industry dropped by 3.99 percent in 2022. 

Belstat said today, on the Day of Metallurgist, that there were 57,800 workers in the industry, which accounts for 6.4 percent of the total industrial personnel. The main producer, Belarusian Steel Works, faces sanctions from the United States and its allies.

Alaksandar Łukašenka, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for 29 years, praised the metallurgical workers in a congratulatory message, saying they play a “key role” in the national economy and have increased steel production and exports this year despite “external challenges.”

He said steel production was up by a quarter this year, and exports by a third.