Market traders do not believe authorities: biggest markets in Brest closed

Three biggest consumer markets in the town of Brest were closed.

The market behind the central department store appeared to be the most unanimous. Only one stall selling mobile phone accessories was working. Stalls selling strollers, bicycles, kitchen furniture and one pavilion selling expensive suits were open at the Warsaw market. The Laguna market may seem a bit more crowded at first glance, Virtual Brest writes.

Only a few people work here, but they ask not to take photos and disgrace them. Journalists talked to some former traders. All of them are sceptical. None of them believe in the statements by the government that were made a day before. People got tired of constant changes and only want the decree to be officially cancelled. Promises not to impose any sanctions for trading remain just words. People know from previous experience that everything may change at any moment and their goods may be confiscated.

On Saturday, the last working day, traders cut prices and people made purchases as if it was the last time they go on shopping.

“It's worth noting that beside sole traders, other people involved in trading will become jobless. Market security guards still work, but they don't understand they will have to look for another job if trade is not resumed. Drivers of share taxes already understand the situation and count their losses. Numerous auxiliary workers, transport workers and administration, all of them will be hit.

What will happen next? People, especially Brest residents, will find a way out. Some will go to Poland, some to Ukraine. Even today queues on the border are rather long. They will bring foreign currency out of the country, but the state budget won't get taxes. They say certificates are the care for consumers, but they don't say that consumers do not have a choice. Those who need quality should have an opportunity to buy more expensive goods with certificates. Poorer people should have an opportunity to buy goods without certificates. Taking into account the difficult economic situation and the level of wages in Belarus, what people do prevail in the country? The answer is obvious,” the online newspaper writes.

The Forum of Small Businessmen, which was held in Minsk lately, failed to achieve the main aim – postponing the coming into force of Lukashenka's decree No.222 that obliges sellers to have accompanying documents for all items on sale. Trading without accompanying documents will be prohibited in a week. Traders will be fined 9 million rubles for violations and their goods will be confiscated. Controlling agencies begin to carry out checks on a large scale and confiscate goods.

Representatives of small business say market traders will have to stop working, because wholesale centres in Russia, where most of them buy goods, do not issue certificates.