Employee of Todini Offends Religious Feelings of Believers

The Italian company Todini, performing the subcontract for the construction of highway Alat-Astara is again at the center of a scandal. Defiance of the company's manager by the name Hullo in the office in the village Chukhanly outraged the local staff. Thus, at the request of a local staff member of the company not to smoke indoors in connection with Ramadan, Hullo rudely spoke to the woman and, taking her by the hand, put out of the room. This staff member became ill, and an ambulance was called, the head of a regional NGO promoting democracy, Emile Mamedov told Turan.

Fearing protests of local staff, Hullo called the Chief of Security, Francesco from Baku. The latter immediately came to Chukhanly, conducted an investigation and admitted that Hullo himself was to blame. However, local staff of the company insists on strict punishment of Hullo, who committed no respect for the traditions of Azerbaijan.

 The administration of the company called two people to protect Hullo's home. Todini has not commented on the situation yet. Local employees of Todini already complained to their administration before. Recently, the builders reported that they are forced to work under  the sun at a temperature of 42 deg.

Before, workers involved in the construction of the Alat-Astara road repeatedly held protests in connection with the violation of their rights.

Several months ago, the head of the Salyan office of Todini, Brakoletti was fired, because he insulted local workers. However, the situation with the rights of workers has changed little and discrimination of local staff continues.

 So, for the same job Azerbaijani bulldozer workers are paid 1,000-1,100 manats, while their foreign counterparts receive 2,000 manats.

 The 112-km section of the Alat-Astara road (from the interchange at 70 miles south of Baku to the Iranian border) is funded by the World Bank.

The construction of the Alat-Astara road began in February 2011 and will be completed in 2013.