The Avtotor Kaliningrad automobile plant is reportedly extending an unusual option for its workers: temporary work harvesting apples and berries. A Telegram channel known as “Russian car” shared the details, highlighting this temporary assignment as the facility continues to navigate operational challenges.
On May 23, the plant remained idle beyond scheduled company leave, with production halted due to a shortage of components required for automobile manufacturing. In a bid to keep staffing levels productive, workers were invited to participate in fruit picking at a state farm located about 100 kilometers from Kaliningrad. The arrangement requires employees to travel to the site on their own, and it offers a potential daily earnings range of 1350 to 2500 rubles. Harvesting activities for strawberries and blueberries were planned from four in the morning until noon, aligning with cool morning hours favorable for picking and transportation planning.
Beyond fruit collection, Avtotor also extended an invitation for staff to take on temporary roles in the construction of the Avtotor-Park complex on Chelyuskinskaya Street. Wages for these positions would be determined following interviews, signaling a flexible approach to workforce allocation amid the current pause in automotive production.
In addition to short-term work options, there were previous moves to provide land for employees as a form of compensation or support. Reports indicate that some plots were allocated for personal gardens, with plots measuring 10 acres in size. The company also allocated two large parcels, totaling 300 hectares, within the settlements of Kholmogorovka and Lyublino, specifically for plant employees. These measures appear to reflect an effort to offer practical benefits to workers during times of reduced manufacturing activity.
Industry observers note that the situation at Avtotor is part of a broader dynamic affecting the region’s manufacturing sector, where supply chain disruptions and component shortages can ripple through production lines. While the immediate focus is on keeping the workforce engaged through alternative tasks and personal plots, the long-term outlook for production hinges on resolving the missing components and stabilizing supply chains. Local managers emphasize the importance of maintaining labor relationships and ensuring clear communication with employees during interim periods of idle capacity. The arrangements described illustrate how a major automotive facility seeks to balance operational realities with the welfare and livelihoods of its staff, even as it pivots to non-core activities to utilize available human resources during downtime.
For workers, these temporary opportunities provide more than just financial compensation. They offer a chance to stay connected with their employer, maintain familiarity with the company culture, and preserve a sense of purpose while the factory navigates equipment and parts hurdles. For management, the approach demonstrates adaptability in workforce planning, aiming to minimize layoffs and sustain morale, which can be crucial when a return to full production depends on securing the necessary components. Stakeholders watching the plant’s response may assess how well such measures translate into productivity resilience, safety compliance, and employee satisfaction as conditions evolve.
As the situation unfolds, observers suggest that the availability of temporary work, whether in agriculture, construction, or land cultivation, may vary with seasonal factors, logistical considerations, and the pace at which supply chain constraints are resolved. The role of communication remains central, with clear expectations about hours, compensation, and travel requirements essential to maintaining trust between workers and management. Ultimately, the plant’s strategy appears to be a practical attempt to weather the current slowdown by leveraging the diverse skills of its workforce while preserving employment relationships for the longer term.