Interfax-Ukraine cited Mr Volodymyr Kazachenko head of the central committee of the metallurgists and miners' trade union of Ukraine as saying that Ukrainian mining and metals companies in 2009 laid off 45,000 workers.

He said that at some companies, in particular, at the Makiyivka Steel Works, Dniprospetsstal and ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih, workers resigned and compensation worth 20 months of wages were paid to them.

At other companies, the administration initiated dismissals, paying partial compensation.

Mr Kazachenko said that at present, the conditions of collective agreements are being resumed at many companies, having been suspended due to the crisis in the sector.

He said that internationally, the minimum wage of workers is USD 3 per hour, according to UN specialists' calculations while at Ukrainian companies they are lower, in particular, it is Hr 16.21 per hour at mining companies, Hr 17 per hour at metals companies, Hr 17.78 at ferrous metal companies and Hr 15 at pipe companies.

(Sourced from Interfax-Ukraine)