"Strikes Similar To Those In Poland During "Solidarity" Are Breaking Out In Belarus"

The situation at the enterprises itself is pushing the workers.

The Belarusian industry is full of debts. Over the year the size of debts of enterprises has increased by 44.2%. Charter97.org has talked to European Belarus activist from Slonim, ex-businessman Viktar Marchyk about the current state of industry in the country.

- We are all well aware that we can't expect any improvement, it's going to get worse. The people are afraid that at any time there may be large-scale layoffs and a drop in wages. The situation in the country is not improving and it's idle to expect any development trends. It turns out that the population lives for a day - we have lived it and thank God.

- The industrial "heavyweights" of Belarus are suffering a noticeable reduction in revenues. The MZKT, for instance, has reduced the sales revenue by 40 million rubles. How is it reflected on the incomes of the Belarusian workers and their moods? What do people in your region say about their salaries?

- Revenues are falling because the situation in the country is like this. I would like to note that sanctions have not yet been imposed on these enterprises, but they are becoming more and more unprofitable with each passing month. It all started not now, but a long time ago. There have been some layoffs already and the wages have been falling, too, little by little. If a worker's salary has remained at the same level all these years, his actual earnings have fallen in percentage correlation to prices. The people know that at any time they can be laid off. The companies might go bankrupt, and what will people do? Not everyone can go abroad to work. Some people cannot do it because of their age, and some - because of their relatives.

Obviously, the people are desperate, because they see no way out of this situation. Everyone knows perfectly well that if we had fair elections, people would choose a worthy candidate. Some kind of economic and political recovery would have begun. It can only happen if the authorities change.

- For the first time in the company's history, serious problems have arisen at Minsk Bearing Plant: the salary for March is not paid. The accountant's office of the enterprise informed that there is no money at the plant. Is such a situation typical of the Belarusian regions?

- So far I haven't heard about delays in my region, but we have very small salaries in comparison with regional centers and Minsk, 450-500 rubles a month, sometimes even less. It is possible that our salaries are low compared to those in Minsk or at large enterprises and it is just easier to give them out.

However, I think that everything in the regions will go in accordance with the tried-and-true plan of Minsk. It's quite possible to expect that in the near future there will be wage delays, and if the dollar rises, the standard of living will collapse.

All this can lead to massive layoffs, "optimization" as the officials say - and there can be an explosion of discontent among the people, new protests and even strikes. The situation in the country is developing in this direction.

- How do you assess the current level of people's dissatisfaction with the authorities?

- You know, not everyone says so openly, but I talk to people, among whom there are officials and state employees, and I know for a fact that they have voted against this regime. People want changes. They are not fools, they understand and can foresee what will happen next. Definitely no one expects improvements under this government.

Even if Putin gives Lukashenka some money to "raise" the economy, it will not be enough: we need not one or two billions, but tens of billions. Only united and developed countries, such as the European Union, can afford this. Russia will not be able to pull up the economy of Belarus at the desired level; they have plenty of problems themselves.

Russians also need money, especially given the upcoming parliamentary elections there, the ongoing protests in support of Navalny - and no one knows how it will end. A billion, two or even three billion will not help Belarus. This amount may only help to keep the dollar at the same level for a while - and then it will be necessary to look for financial resources again. Russia is not going to feed the regime permanently, and if it gives something, then it will be given against some guarantees and the sovereignty of Belarus.

Therefore, we, the citizens of the country, have only one way out - the release of all political prisoners and new free elections. Then a new stage of development will begin for Belarus, our economy will be building and developing.

- What should the workers, who have found themselves in the streets or have significantly lost their wages because of the economic crisis, do? How to defend their rights?

- People will try to survive somehow, for example, businessmen may withdraw into the shadows, but this will also be for a while. Everyone understands that there is nowhere to retreat, and people will actively resist.

If the Lukashenka regime continues to put pressure, the level of discontent may increase even more. The people will have nothing to lose and, figuratively speaking, they will take their pitchforks.

- One of Hrodna Azot workers stated that in order to succeed, "we would need a Polish version of the occupation strike, for which we should prepare diligently". Do you agree with this opinion? What, in your opinion, can ensure the success of the strikers?

- That's where the whole situation is headed. I agree with his opinion, the situation is escalating. Probably, very soon, the situation will be similar to the one that existed in Poland during the "Solidarity" movement. The authorities themselves are pushing the workers of the enterprises to such actions, to strikes of the same type as they were in Poland during "Solidarity".

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com