Entrepreneurs ready pitch tents on October Square

Entrepreneurs are to go to October (Kastrychnitskaya) Square in Minsk at 12.00pm on 18 February. “We are going to struggle for cancelling of the decree 760 unless we win,” Ales Makaeu, member of the coordinating council of entrepreneurs, said to Charter’97.

“Individual entrepreneurs are the only category of citizens paying taxes in advance. Moreover, we pay taxes by euro, so tax burden has increased by 20 per cent due to the year’s rate growth. At the same time the head of state is insulting thousands of his citizens, who pay taxes regularly and create workplaces. Who in the world can say such things and remain in power?” one of the leaders of the entrepreneurs’ movement puts a rhetoric question.

According to him, having refused to discuss the issue with all the parties interested in, the authorities didn’t leave any choice for entrepreneurs except asserting their rights by means of street actions. “So, we are going to come to October Square on 18 February, and pitch tents there. Of course, we don’t count many people will be brave enough to do it in the intimidated by the authorities society, but the main thing is consolidation of the society and solidarity, we hope for. We should act together to win,” Makaeu is sure.

The leader of the entrepreneurs’ movement added the authorities didn’t weaken pressure on entrepreneurs. As an example he told about Mikola Charnavus, entrepreneur from Baranavichy, member of the coordinating council of the Baranavichy cooperative market.

Mikola Charnavus was called to the local militia department after demonstration of 300 entrepreneurs was held in Baranavichy on 11 February. A report on “organisation of unauthorised street event” was drawn up against him. The trial was scheduled for 22 February, but M. Charnavus has received a summons today saying the trial is put forward to 18 February, 9.00am, when the action of entrepreneurs is to be held.

At the rally in Baranavichy entrepreneurs required taxes and rent charge to be half reduced and the decree 760, in particular its paragraph 1.1, according to which they can employ only close relatives since 1 January, 2008, to be cancelled. “If the authorities don’t take any measures, we reserve the right to go to protest action on 18 February. If they don’t hear us on that day, we’ll go to October Square on 25 March with sleeping bags and tents. Daily allowance and food will be provided, “Mikola Charnavus said.