On the occasion of the Day of Workers of the Steel Making and Mining Industry of Ukraine, Metinvest's enterprises in Zaporizhzhia traditionally invited retired employees to a celebratory gathering to thank them for their many years of dedicated work, commitment to their life's vocation, and continued involvement in the activities of the enterprise even after retirement.
According to Mykola Silin, Chair of the Zaporizhstal Labour Veterans' Council, such gatherings are particularly meaningful for people who devoted decades of their lives to the enterprise.
"Above all, today we thank the people who restored production, built the enterprise and shaped its traditions. It is very important that this link between generations is not lost, and that the enterprise continues to remember and support its retirees."
This years, 28 retired employees received gift certificates: 22 from Zaporizhstal, 4 from Zaporizhcoke, and 2 from Zaporizhzhia Refractories.
During the gathering, Maksym Ped, HR Director of Zaporizhstal, addressed the labour veterans with words of gratitude:
"It was you who shaped the character of the enterprise that today helps Zaporizhstal withstand the most difficult times. This is a strong foundation built through your hard work, responsibility and dedication to your profession. I wish you good health, warmth and happiness in your families, and that you will always be proud to be metallurgists. After all, there are no former metallurgists."
The most active members of the labour veterans' organisations were presented with letters of appreciation for their many years of work, active civic engagement and efforts to maintain the link between generations of employees.
Leonid Anisimov, Head of Zaporizhstal's primary organisation, also joined the celebrations and expressed particular words of support for the current generation of metallurgists working in frontline Zaporizhzhia today.
"It is impossible to imagine Zaporizhzhia without metallurgists. Today, the enterprise continues to operate, and its employees prove every day that metallurgists know how to withstand the blows. To our retirees, I would like to wish them the most important things – good health, peace, the care of their loved ones and many long years of life."
Andrii Zviahintsev, Head of the City Labour Veterans' Organisation, also presented letters of appreciation to representatives of public organisations of retirees.
"I have also learned from my own experience that not everyone can be a metallurgist. It is a profession for strong, disciplined and responsible people who are ready to devote themselves to a challenging but immensely respected vocation. I very much hope that the principles of honest, responsible and dedicated work established by our labour veterans will continue to live on and be passed down to the younger generation of metallurgists," said Andrii ZVIAHINTSEV.
Among those awarded a Certificate of Honour was Iryna Tiahunova, who devoted more than 35 years to working at Zaporizhstal. She began her professional career in the turbine shop, later worked at the combined heat and power plant, and after retiring continued her active civic work on the enterprise's Veterans' Council.
For her many years of service, active civic position and community work, she was awarded a Certificate of Honour.
"It is very important for us to feel that the enterprise remembers its retirees. These gatherings are not just about awards; above all, they are about attention, warmth and sincere gratitude for years of work. Even today, we continue to help people through the Veterans' Council and support those who need it. It is heartening to see that this work is valued and that our connection with the enterprise remains as strong as ever,” said Iryna TIAHUNOVA.
The annual gathering was another reminder that it is people who create the history of an enterprise. Even after their career journeys have come to an end, they remain an important part of the large metallurgical family, which continues to preserve its traditions, mutual support and respect for the profession.
