Belarus’ Sole Traders Can Take To Central Squares Of Minsk

On December 7 a meeting of sole traders’ leaders is to take place in Minsk. Its aim is to analyze prospects of protests in central squares of Minsk.

A song by Viktor Tsoi, We Want Changes!, as a ringtone at phones should become the indicator of sole traders’ being ready for struggle should, Belaruskaya Prauda informs.

A press-conference of leaders of the sole traders’ movement, the deputy chairman of Razam solidarity movement Ales Makaeu and Mikhail Latyshau from Homel, was held at the headquarters of the Belarusian Popular Front Party on December 1.

The leaders of sole traders told about “total lawlessness” of the authorities, creating unbearable conditions for business activities at Davydauski market place in Savetski district of Homel, and groundless persecution of the leaders of sole traders’ movement Mikalai Autukhovich and Yury Liashenka. They have made a call for joined actions of all sole traders to save the small business.

As told by a sole trader Mikhail Latyshau, it is impossible for small businessmen of Davydauskaya marketplace to work now because of too high rent and utilities rates. All addresses to the administration of the market, district and city authorities have not yielded any result, and on the contrary, have demonstrated that the authorities won’t accept a compromise with small businessmen.

Ales Makaeu conveyed information about the leaders of sole traders. They are a member of Razam solidarity movement, a wheelchair user Yury Liashenka from Svetlahorsk, who is deprived of the right for transportation because of his participation in memorial events on October 29 in Minsk, dedicated to Stalin era purges victims, and the honorary chairman of Razam solidarity movement Mikalai Autukhovich, who is experiencing pressure by the transport inspection of Vaukavysk.

As we have informed, many sole trades plan to stop trade massively since January 1, 2016. Since this date, under Lukashenka’s Decree, sole traders would not be able to sell consumer goods imported without certificates from the countries of the Customs Union. Sole traders have been given an opportunity to sell the shelf stock imported to Belarus before July 1, 2014 without accompanying documents, according to inventory files registered by tax authorities.