"Our Subbotnik Is Another Working Day, For Which They Take Money"

What do Slutsk residents say about tomorrow's subbotnik?

Courier has found out if it is possible to "defer" from subbotnik and how much money the employees of enterprises transfer to it from their wages.

Ivan, the Slutsk rural construction combine: "They charge 4 rubles 50 kopecks for subbotnik! And if we refuse, it can affect the bonus or the attitude towards the employee. As a rule, our subbotnik is another working day, for which they simply take money, and we do the cleaning when we are sitting without work."

Maryja, a school: "Everyone has already transferred money to the subbotnik! It's all done under signed orders. Everyone has to pay and go to subbotnik. Everyone has a different amount: 1.5 – 3.4 rubles. It is taken out of the salary. If you do not pay and do not go, then, probably, it’s up to dismissal, because you do not fulfill the requirements of the collective agreement."

Dzmitry, the Slutsk Cheese Factory: "We do not have such a notion as "I’m going "or"I’m not going." We have a non-human schedule with night shifts. We work strictly following it, regardless of what there is tomorrow: Saturday, weekend, Easter or New Year. But! Money is still taken from us: 2 – 3 rubles. And what will happen if I do not agree, I cannot say. I’ve even become interested myself."

Natallia, the Slutsk Central Hospital: "We’ve started the subbotnik today. We came, cleaned everything – and that's it. We will find out in May, when we get the pay sheet, how much they have taken from us. We are not allowed not to go – everything is done in the voluntary-compulsory way. The people go there swearing."