30.000 entrepreneurs on strike

2 October the Belarusian entrepreneurs are holding one day strike. As Victar Harbachou, head of the organizing committee on formation of the Republic Public Organization “For Free development of the enterprise” reported to Charter’97 press center, more than 30.000 entrepreneurs took part in the action. The most massive strikes were in Slutsk, Pinsk, Baranavichy, Slonim, Svetlahorsk, Barysau, where 90% entrepreneurs stopped their work.

In the capital refused to work all the entrepreneurs of the shopping centers “Europe”, “Zerkalo”, “Mir Mody” (in Zhdanovichy), and some entrepreneurs in Kamarouka, “Impuls” and some other shopping centers. In the morning on the territory of the shopping center “Parking” the meeting took place. According to Aliaksandr Toustik, one of the coordinators of the organizing committee on formation of the Republic Public Organization “For Free development of the enterprise” the entrepreneurs call this action not a strike, but a fest of free enterprise.

As Victar Harbachou said in the interview to Charter’97 press center, since 10 a.m. the organizing committee delegation have passed 1.000 signatures to the House of Representatives, gathered against decrees № 760 and 302. Approximately 25.000 signatures, gathered in the regions, will soon be passed.

Victar Harbachou thinks today’s action showed the authorities that the entrepreneurs can unite to achieve their aims.

It should be reminded that the decree № 760 stimulated the strike. According to the decree beginning with 1 January 2008 the individual entrepreneurs (IE) can’t hire workers except the family members and close relatives. Herewith, the limitation of the workers’ number up to 3 people remains in force. The summer mass examination on the markets, groundless fines and arrests of the commodities became the last drop. If the decrees № 760 and 302 aren’t be revised, the issue of organizing a strike of many days and refusal to pay taxes will be discussed.