Chinese factory gives hope to hundreds of Ukrainians amid crisis
Factory in Fastiv provides stable jobs for nearly 200 people in time of crisis
Chinese-owned factory in Ukraine’s Kyiv Oblast is providing jobs to nearly 200 local people, helping them to weather tough economic times. Run by a Chinese businessman, the regenerated fiber plant is one of a handful of factories still holding up during the crisis.
Slava, factory supervisor: “Everyone works really hard because they know they have a family to support and you can’t live without having a job.”
Slava said right now it’s not easy for local people to have a stable job and get paid on time every month. Both he and his wife work at factory which has provided many locals with a lifeline.
The conflict in east Ukraine has been partly to blame for the economic downturn which has seen the Ukrainian hryvnia devalued, banks close down, and major flight of foreign investment. Many Ukrainians have seen their wages in real terms fall significantly whilst the threat of unemployment looms large.