Entrepreneurs striking and going to rally

At least 70 per cent of entrepreneurs take part in the strike in Belarus. As the decree №760 wasn’t suspended, the decision of entrepreneurs on organising a protest rally on October (Kastrychnitskaya) Square in Minsk at 12 p.m. 10 January remains in force. Viktar Garbachou, head of the organising committee on creation the public association “For Free Development of Business”, said it to the Charter’97 press center.

“It is safe to say today that at least 70 per cent of more than 200.000 individual entrepreneurs all over the country have stopped their work. The figures are different in different regions. Almost all private unit stores are closed in Rechytsa, Baranavichy, Saligorsk, Brest. At least 70 per cent of people in Slutsk and Barysau haven’t’ come to work. The figure ranges from 30 to 80 per cent in Minsk. Automobile market in Malinauka, markets in Zhdanovichy and Uruchye are almost empty,” one of the leaders of the entrepreneurs’ movement said.

According to Viktar Garbachou, the latter statements of the authorities addressing to private business just consolidate people and make them take dynamic actions. “By their statements the authorities just spur us on to active protest and make us consolidate. And if, according to Mr. Tur (deputy minister of economy ¬– note of Charter’97), our strike is not dangerous for the authorities, why then do they speak about it on official level so much? If we pay so little taxes, why do workers of tax service go to markets and ask, in some cases demand, to come to work?” one of the leaders of the entrepreneurs’ movements wonders.

Viktar Garbachou also noted that the current protest of entrepreneurs was the most powerful and consolidating in the history of independent Belarus. It scares the authorities, according to him, and makes them at least give appearance of searching for a compromise.

“Literally yesterday it was announced about preparing of the law on small and medium business. Independent business structures were officially invited to participate in working out of the law. But even if the law satisfies us, it will come into force not tomorrow. That’s why the authorities themselves are spurring entrepreneurs on to the square, not having left any choice for most of them,” Viktar Garbachou emphasised.

He also said entrepreneurs of the country combined their efforts for standing up for their rights. Most of the business structures in Belarus, both of national and regional level, agreed on joint activity of protecting their interests.