"Like a powder keg." Surgut kindergarten staff are being laid off en masse, while the rest are facing pay cuts.
Layoffs at Surgut kindergartens: workers were notified at the end of October.
Layoff notices arrived at the end of October.
В Surgut Kindergarten workers received layoff notices at the end of October. According to one employee, more than 10 people were being laid off at her kindergarten.
"We had two teachers, a junior teacher, receive notice due to the group merger. A physical education instructor, a psychologist, two housekeepers, two laundresses, a safety officer, a paid services administrator, and a clerk. They also wanted to lay off retired staff—a speech therapist and a music director—but they've been retained for now. The only one left is the special education teacher; she's still working 1,25 full-time because she has 15 children with disabilities in her group, and she's fully dedicated to them."
— a physical education instructor at one of the kindergartens told NeMoskve.
The reasons for the layoffs were not explained to the employees.
The letters the employees received stated that "there are no vacancies requiring your qualifications, nor any lower-level or lower-paid positions." All severance pay was promised in accordance with the law. However, the employees were given no explanation as to the reason for these layoffs. The number of children in the kindergarten has not decreased.
"We're sitting on a powder keg. No one's explaining anything. Today they have it this way, tomorrow that way. The governor talks about the social budget, but in reality it's completely different. They left me on my own, instead of 1,25 times the normal rate, for 15 groups. Even though the regulations only allow for eight groups per physical education instructor. But I'll lose 20,000 rubles in salary right away."
— the instructor explains.
Kindergarten layoffs: appeals and administration responses
The workers have already contacted the Department of Education. Khanty-Mansiysk AO, but "to no avail." Some kindergarten employees wrote to Putin on the direct line.
The issue of layoffs is also being raised in the governor's chat.
"We'll need additional time to prepare a response. We'll return with clarification no later than November 9." responded Surgut administration.
Due to military spending, other regions are also starting to cut public sector jobs. counting “That’s it,” staffing levels are already being cut in 24 regions.
