Zinaida Mikhniuk: Solidarity Can Take On World

Hennadz Fiadynich is now an adviser and consultant in the REP Trade Union.

Hennadz Fiadynich has been replaced by Zinaida Mikhniuk as head of the REP independent. The corresponding decision was made today at the expanded meeting of the REP trade union council.

It was a forced decision, since the court order does not allow Hennadz Fiadynich to occupy leading positions for a period of 5 years, Radio Svaboda reports.

Zinaida Mikhniuk was the head of the regional REP trade union cell in Brest region, at the same time she was Hennadz Fiadynich’s deputy.

Zinaida Mikhniuk repeatedly organized trade union events in the region aimed at supporting workers' rights and decent wages. She has been repeatedly fined, removed from the train on the Belarusian border and suffered other punishments.

As she says: “If the country had the same solidarity as our independent trade unions, then it would be possible to move mountains. If people were not intimidated by contracts and joined independent trade unions that really protect the rights of citizens, then the feeling of solidarity could have appeared much earlier. You just have to stop being afraid.”

According to tut.by, Mikhniuk will act as trade union chairman until the next congress of the organization in April 2020. Hennadz Fiadynich is now an adviser and consultant to the REP Trade Union and continues to work in the organization.