Salyan Drivers against Todini

This morning before the office of the Italian construction company Todini, which carries out the reconstruction of the Alat-Astara highway, a protest was held by 60 drivers of large trucks.

According to the head of the public association "Help democracy" Emil Mammadov, the drivers are dissatisfied with their salary and meals.

"Truck drivers are paid at the rate of 50 gyapik (kopecks) for every 30 km. In total, their salary is 250-300 manats a month," said Mammadov. According to him, the drivers are demanding a meeting with the leadership of the company.

The Project Manager, Maorisi refused to meet with the drivers. However, on the insistence of the drivers, representatives of the Baku office of the company promised to meet with them. The action continues, while the police do not intervene.

Our attempt to get some comments in the company Todini failed.

A year ago the company, for insulting the locals, had fired the head manager of the company in Salyan Brakoletti. However, the situation has not changed for the better, according to local human rights activists and the workers of the company.

Todini is building 112 km of Alat-Astara (the site is 70 km south of Baku to the Iranian border). The construction funded by the World Bank. Construction of the road began in February 2011 and should be completed this year. -16D04-