Where's The Promised Salary?

Living standards are deteriorating in Belarus.

Yesterday independent trade unions held a protest action in Minsk; despite the authorization, participants of the action were arrested.

Leanid Sudalenka, the legal inspector of labour of the Independent Trade Union of Radio and Electronic Industry (REP), told Charter97.org about the situation at labour exchange in Belarus.

- Every year the situation is getting worse. I wonder where is the promised salary of $500. You know, the situation in the regions is as that people dream of the salary of $300! Sellers in stores work for $200 and it's a high salary.

It's not a secret that the situation is getting worse in Belarus. Prices and housing and communal services are growing.

By the way, at the yesterday's protest action in Minsk people shouted out "No more short-term contracts" and demanded a decent salary. This is what raises more concern. The slogan of the yesterday's event was as that: "The people of Belarus have the right to a decent life and work".

- What is the danger of short-term contracts?

- There is no doubt that such contracts are some kind of a modern slavery. one can say that people are immobilized. After all, a person with a five-year contract has no option to quit.

It is noteworthy that many times the REP Trade Union has faced cases when people had to practice unexcused absences, because they were offered more well-paid job, but the contract binded them.

In addition, there is anotherside of the system. We know that short-term contracts are the instrument of manipulation. I can say that I also suffered from the contract system. In 2006 my contract was not extended because of political reasons. I should stress that I had no penalties or violations of the labor discipline. Moreover, I had minor children. In general, my contract was not extended and the next day they hired other lawyer.

I think that these facts are indicative and they show the very sense of the contract system in Belarus. Unfortunately, to date, all able-bodied people have to obey it.

- Do you mean that a worker has only two options: either a contract or a decree on "spongers"?

- I think that it must be abolished! The practice has shown that the decree turned to be useless both in its first and second edition. The second edition comes into force since January 1, 2019.

- How should Belarusians resist the "slavery"?

- The world practice shows that the defence of workers' rights is the problem of workers. They can, for example, create an independent trade union and demand a decent working conditions and salary.

I'd like to point out that the slogan of the Tuesday's rally was "Hands off independent REP Trade Union". Unfortunately, the authorities continue the persecution of our Trade Union for its activity. Leaders Henadz Fyadynich and Ihar Komlik suffer criminal charges. The authorities pursue any dissidence in the country, but we continue to protest. I stress that we are the ones who can demand and strive for respect of our rights and a decent salary in our country. No one but us can do it.