Viktar Marchyk: Officials Should Be Hold Liable For "Wrecking"

The authorities are scared of making the real statistics public.

Orsha which Lukashenka ordered to "restore" and make "an example" is really indicative. It shows how earlier successful enterprises turn into a headache for the economy.

Only consider. These are results of the government's activity in a certain city. "Communication engineering": 9 thousand people worked, 600 left; "Legmash": 6-8 thousand people worked, now there are only 460; instrumental plant: worked 2.7 thousand, now - 450; "Orshaagroprommash": only 120 workers survived.

Charter97.org discussed the current state of enterprises and workers with representative of the Belarusian National Congress in Slonim Victar Marchyk:

- Lukashenka's system has borrowed the worst from the Soviet system. I can't agree that Belarus is the "reservation of the USSR". We have turned into the "cabinet of curiosities of the USSR", with the worst examples of communist activity.

Huge enterprises which turned into the lumber for the economy are the main "Soviet-like mistakes" made by the government.

Unfortunately, our people in power live their own lives with no place for laws of the economy and market. When representatives of the IMF voice problems in the public sector, it is ignored. After all, Karl Marx had nothing against government ownership. However, our "collective farm elite" has only quotes from "Capital" and "Lenin in October" in their brains.

The world is changing, as well as the society. We live in times when intellect is of the greatest value, but the authorities operate under the system "two workers and a shovel can replace a digger!".

It's time of robots at world enterprises, but it's not the story of Belarusian enterprises. Where's logic? There is none. Just listen to statements of the government about "new industrialization". Think of that! Elon Musk launches Tesla in an open space, and we are dealing with issues of the Stalin times.

Though, I guess, I overpraised our authorities. They are lagging behind the Stalin times. We are living in the era when the Pyramids were built, when directors at enterprises are reeves and workers are slaves.

We urgently need a private initiative, clear minds who can start our economy. After all, Belarusians have always been doers. Let's take Francysk Skaryna as an example. He was intellectual, self-made man. He got education abroad, spoke several foreign languages, worked marvels with his intellect. We need this kind of Belarus. The country of Skaryna, not such directors.

But our authorities only stifle a private initiative. They stifle it with taxes, inspections, exactions. Some were told openly: "either you close your business down, or it will be worse." State enterprises cannot compete with private owners. It's the reason for the most disgusting methods to be practiced.

- Mogilev Strommashina is other example characterizing the state of our industry. The management of the enterprise has introduced one-hour work day. How could you comment on these decisions?

- The authorities are afraid of real statistics. I think that the situation with the Mogilev enterprise is indicative. Half of the country works this way. Someone paints the grass green, others cut snow. They just imitate the heavy activity.

When Lukashenka nods at ordinary workers and says that they should "work hard", it sounds ridiculous.

The key problem hides in our system which is just a show-off. Statistics, indicators, figures are the only thing that matters. “Five Years in Four!” No one cares that our notorious tractors decay at warehouses.

If we live under Soviet ideals and take the Soviet social model as an example, let's be entirely honest. There was Article "wrecking or subversive activity" in the Criminal Code of the USSR. It's time to hold our higher officials liable under this Article. After all, the methods they practice are nothing but subversive activity and wrecking.

- In 1994 Lukashenka participated in presidential elections under motto "Make enterprises work". How would you evaluate fulfilment of promises Lukashenka made?

- It's almost E grade. His words are not worth taking seriously. In 1994 he promised a lot. He had only bare populism then. But time is the best judge. Time eased everything. One can put a full stop to all promises of Lukashenka.

Today even vocal advocates, electors of Lukashenka curse him. And Belarusian workers have turned into an explosive substance. Today you are a worker, tomorrow you may become a "parasite". All vain attempts of the ruler in Orsha just indicate his fear. He can see the worker's fist through his fence in Drazdy.