Another activist of independent trade union dismissed from Granit plant

Anatoly Litvinka, an activist of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union, has been fired today on the order of the Granit plant general director.

Anatoly actively participated in setting up a primary organisation of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union (BITU) on the Mikashevichy-based plant. He was elected secretary-treasurer of the organisation. He appeared in the media several times with critical remarks about the plant top executives and discrimination of members of the independent trade union, belnp.org reports.

“I was invited to come today. I was handed in a notice of termination of the employment contract over repeated failure to perform my duties in the presence of the plant's chief counsel Lakhau, a personnel officer and other people,” Anatoly Litvinka said on the phone.

Mikalai Zimin, the head of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union, thinks this is another biased dismissal of a trade union activist:

“We don't doubt that it is yet another dismissal caused by trade union activity of a man who contributed to setting up a primary organisation and was an active trade union member. We do not know details yet, but we surely will apply to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the Ministry of Architecture and Construction for explanations.”

The trade union activist finds the dismissal unlawful and says he will apply to a court:

“Of course, I don't agree with the decision. I will contest it in court,” secretary-treasurer of the primary organisation Anatoly Litvinka said. “We will discuss our further actions with activists of the trade union in the nearest days.”

It should be reminded that the wife of the secretary-treasurer, Lyudmila Litvinka, was fired from Granit plant last year. She cannot find a job in the town or in the district. Anatoly's family has been left without sources of income after his dismissal.

Most activists who set up the primary organisation – Aleh Stakhayevich, Mikalai Karyshau, Vitaly Pashechka and Henadz Paulouski – were sacked in 2012. Leanid Dubanosau may be dismissed too.