Chairman of the Party of Regions Faction at the Verkhovna Rada Viktor Yanukovych said that Mariupol-based Illich metallurgical plant, Donetsk region, had suspended its work.

He said this opening the meeting of the oppositional government.

«Yesterday evening [October 22], Illich metallurgical plant was shut down in Mariupol. This is one of the largest Ukrainian metallurgical plants, which has about 60,000 employees, who are already receiving reduced salaries,» he said.

According to the Party of Regions leader, work of the plant was suspended due to thoughtless policy of the Cabinet of Ministers in the metallurgical sector.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, in July, the Mariupol-based Illich metallurgical plant (Donetsk region) reduced output of rolled metal by 8.5% or 42,000 tons to 455,000 tons compared to June.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, in August, Illich metallurgical plant reduced production of finished steel by 22.9% or 94,370 tons to 317,630 tons.

In January-August 2008 over January-August 2007, Illich metallurgical plant reduced the production by 5.8% or 210,510 tons to 3,426,630 tons.

In 2007, the plant increased output of rolled steel by 0.6% or 32,700 tons, compared to 2006, to 5,869,000 tons, agglomerate by 14.3% or 1,616,000 tons to 12,881,000 tons.

At the same time, in 2007 the plant reduced output of steel by 0.4% or 30,500 tons, compared with 2006, to 6,954,000 tons, and pig iron production - by 0.1% or 3,800 tons to 5,429,000 tons

The enterprise ended 2007 with net profits of UAH 1,417.212 million.

The Illich Stal company (Mariupol) owns 90.41% of the shares in the Illich metallurgical plant OJSC.

The controlling stake of the Illich Stal company belongs to the Illich metallurgical plant's organization of renters.

The Illich metallurgical plant specializes in production of rolled sheet. It also produces iron-ore sinter, open-hearth pig iron, cast and rolled slabs, seamless and welded pipes, and gas cylinders.