29 March 2024, Friday, 10:23
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Decree No. 1 Is Getting Into Action

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Decree No. 1 Is Getting Into Action

Work for food will become the reality in Belarus.

Homel, Vitsebsk and other cities of Belarus have already established commissions on "parasites" which aim to decide the fate of the major part of Belarusians. Who will work there, what will they do and how will it affect our lives? Leanid Sudalenka, the legal inspector of labour of the Independent Trade Union of Radio and Electronic Industry (REP), answers questions of Charter97.org.

- You tried to make it to the "parasite" commission in Homel, but you were denied. What do you think the authorities were scared of?

- I submitted an application. Being the "defender of parasites", I thought it would be great to be present at meetings and see the work of the commission from within. To see what hides behind the curtain; after all, there are lots of questions with vague answers. People will be divided into "black" and "white" as one thinks fit.

Especially, it regards "adversities". Some people do not work for five years, others only for three days; officials will make their decision based on personal believes. I'd like to be there to inform people how these commissions really work.

The authorities do not want it. They avoid any transparency and publicity in this issue. I examined the list of those who had managed to this list - all of them are officials. "Public organizations" are represented either by official Trade Unions, or Red Cross, or such odious structures like the BRYU and Belaya Rus.

- What do you think about powers of the commissions? How much is their activity legal?

- Their powers are quite broad. I would say they are enough to broke people's fates.

Commissions will decide who is "parasite" and who is not; who will get higher utility tariff rates and risk their property. That is, several officials are granted special powers to resolve issues which can completely change the life of a person or a whole family.

The second point is that such powers originate from Lukashenka's decree, not from the basic law.

And, perhaps, the key point is that decision-making and its relevance will be closed from public. It will be a "blind trial".

- Who do you think risk the most to be enlisted as a "parasite"?

- People who, according to the authorities, do not have a job will be invited. I guess people who can't find a job by a reason of age and so on will be main "clients" of commissions.

And here is the ground for another authorities' initiative - the retirement age increase.

Let's imagine a person loses a job at the age of 61. What is he supposed to do in the country? He has almost no variants but to stand in front of the "parasite" commission. State media keep repeating: "Vacancies, vacancies! The number of vacancies exceeds the one of the unemployed." What kind of vacancies are they? Work for $100-150?

What can commissions proudly called by the authorities "on employment promotion" do? Only a work for food. Work for food will become the reality in Belarus. At least for the major part of those who will seek assistance in "parasite commissions".

- Is it possible that commissions may serve as a tool to settle the score with undesirable people and political opponents?

- If such a person does not work, he will be subject to higher utility tariff rates.

This is what we know at the moment. And what if there is an arsenal of means against such people? Still it is not known how "parasites" will pay for medical services. Will this person be left to die of acute appendicitis unless he pays for the operation in full? It's huge money.

Regarding sanctions against "parasites", the cart is put before the horse. The authorities said "A", but are silent about "B".

We do not know what "surprises" are awaiting us. But it does not matter. The main thing is to know our rights, defend them and fight till the very end.

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