Chernobyl clean-up workers protest benefits cuts

Chernobyl clean-up workers protest benefits cuts

2011-11-02 07:44:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

KIEV (BNO NEWS) -- An estimated 1,000 former Chernobyl clean-up workers protested against planned cuts of social benefits in the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, media reports said.

Protesters stormed the Ukrainian parliament building in Kiev, demanding the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Tigipko. They broke through the metal cordon surrounding the parliament but were prevented by police from entering the building itself, RIA Novosti reported.

On Tuesday, the Ukrainian parliament was to consider a bill canceling social benefits for some 10 million citizens, including those involved in the clean-up operation following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. However, soon after the beginning of Tuesday's rally, several opposition MPs told demonstrators that the bill's second reading had been postponed.

According to the rally participants, an agreement was reached that a delegation of former Chernobyl disaster personnel would enter the building and present their demands to MPs. But the proposal was rejected by some protesters who maintain that talks should take place outside the parliament, the news report said.

About 100 protesters remained near the parliament. Organizers said they have no plans to end the rally and said protests will continue on Wednesday.

A total of more than 500,000 workers have been involved in relief operations following the explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in April 1986, which is considered the worst nuclear power plant accident in history. The explosion resulted in highly radioactive fallout in the atmosphere over an extensive area, killing tens of thousands of people.

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