Trade union activists sue Granit plant

Leanid Dubanosau, the last member of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union who was fired from Granit plant in the Luninets district, plans to apply to a court to be reinstated at work.

As charter97.org has learnt, the suit is soon be heard in a court of first instance. Leanid Dubanosau, who worked as an excavator operator, thinks he was dismissed illegally, because employment agreements are prolonged automatically if an employer has no disciplinary sanctions. The management didn't warn the worker that the agreement would be terminated.

Leanid Dubanosau was prohibited to work after he returned from holidays on May 21. Dubanosau was said that his employment agreement had expired on May 16. The worker didn't receive the documents that could confirm the decision. Dubanosau was earlier demanded to stop paying dues to the independent trade union through Granit's account department. He was said the employment agreement would be terminated if he didn't stop.

In late 2011, 600 workers of Granit plant in Mikashevichy quit the official trade union and announced the decision to set up a primary unit of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union. They couldn't register the independent trade union, because the plant management refused to give them premises for the registered office necessary for the registration process. Supporters of the independent trade union faced pressure.

The most active trade union activists – Aleh Stahayevich, Mikalai Karyshau and his wife Marharyta, Henadzy Paulouski, Vitaly Pashechka, Liudmila and Anatoly Litsvinka – were fired after setting up the independent trade union.