All must join flax harvesting

The administration of the Vitebsk region executive committee orders to “mobilise human resources to harvest flax”.

“Human resources, not fewer than 7,000—10,000 students and people from cities and affiliated organizations, should be mobilised and sent to harvest flax on October 20-21,” says a phoned telegram to heads of district executive committees of the Vitebsk region, TUT.by reports.

A postscript to the message sounds threatening: “No flax should be on fields in the Vitebsk region by 22 October 2012. Otherwise I will regard it as causing economic damage to the country. You bear personal responsibility!” The phoned telegram was signed by Alyaksandr Kasinets, the head of the Vitebsk region executive committee.

The education department of the Vitebsk region executive committee confirms they really received the message, but they are ordered to harvest flax by October 25. “We ask workers to join the harvesting campaign. Educational institutions take own decisions whether to sent students to work or not. We sent telegrams asking to help the harvesting campaign on recommendation of the agricultural committee,” the educational department says adding that it is standard practice.

The educational department says students usually join harvesting works:

“They work depending on the age. Minor students work for a week or two. Adult students work for a month. Educational institutions can choose when students can work. Of course, they receive payment.”