Decree on "Serfdom" in Woodworking Industry Repealed

Decree No. 9 from December 7, 2012 "On Additional Measures on Development of the Woodworking Industry" is repealed.

The decision is confirmed by Lukashenka's Decree No. 182 from May 27, 2016, Belarusian News report.

It should be reminded that Decree No. 9 curtailed labour rights of employees at woodworking enterprises which were modernized. In particular, all of them were subject to contract system, early termination of a contract while realization of investment projects was allowed only with consent of an employer.

In case of employees' violation of their duties and further dismissal for wrongful acts the sum of monthly payments received by them in the period of work was subject to a return.

Operation of the decree covered Borisovdrev, Vitebskdrev, Gomeldrev, Ivatsevichdrev, Mostovdrev, Rechitsadrev, FanDOK, Mogilevdrev and Mozyr woodworking plant.

The similar legal regime was provided for employees of chief contractor organizations and designers involved in investment projects on technical re-equipment, modernization, and reconstruction of plants of woodworking industry.

Aliaksandr Lukashenka personally ordered to produce the document. Democratic organizations and independent Trade Unions stated Decree No. 9 ran counter to the Constitution, as well as the Forced Labour Convention of the International Labour Organization.

The National Legal Internet Portal reports No. Decree No. 182 comes into effect on the day of its official publication. The text has not been published yet.