Last Monday, a total of 20 employees at a chemical plant suspended work demanding over 19 million rubles ($817,500) back pay, although the factory owners have paid some of the wage arrears the strikers said they would continue their action until all debts are repaid.
"The health of hunger strikers is getting worse every day. On Monday evening one of the protesters needed urgent medical aid to normalize his blood pressure. Today a total of 18 people are participating in the action," a trade union spokesman said.
The latest strike in the Urals Region comes less than a month after workers at the bauxite mine, called Krasnaya Shapochka (Little Red Riding Hood), returned to work following a 23-day strike for higher wages.
The Lobvinsky chemical plant produces ethanol, carbon dioxide, yeast and household chemicals, and employs a total of 514 workers.
