On May 16, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. A foreman of one of the structural divisions of the Lepel Dairy and Canned Goods Plant was engaged in the labour exploitation of his subordinates. This was announced today at a press conference by Vladimir Shalukhin, Head of the Investigative Committee Department for the Vitebsk Region, BELTA correspondent reports. It has been established that the man, from June last year to March 2012, using his official powers, involved subordinates in various construction works at his own home. He paid for the workers' labour at the expense of the enterprise, recording it as working days for them. The total amount of illegal salary payments exceeded Br40 million. On May 15, a criminal case was initiated against the official for abuse of official powers under Part 3 of Article 424 of the Criminal Code of Belarus, which provides for up to 10 years of imprisonment with possible confiscation of property. -0-

BELTA