Henadz Fiadynich: Boiler in society is getting hotter

This year's crisis in Belarus is the deepest one for the years of Lukashenka's dictatorship.

Henadz Fiadynich, the head of the Belarusian Electronics Trade Union, said it in an interview with charter97.org.

– The Belarusian ruble has been falling against the dollar for the last few days. It means that people's income is declining. Problems with domestic products sales and the growing number of cases when plants don't pay wages to employees cannot but influence moods in society. Do you notice that social tension is growing?

– Even if we look at very low activity in collecting signatures during the so called election campaign, we can notice that people do not trust the authorities. It is not because of the hot weather but because of the difficult economic situation, especially in industry.

The outburst of social protests is unlikely before the “elections”. The authorities will take some formal measures, like increasing pensions by 5% or giving assistance to MAZ and other big plants. But it won't significantly influence standards of living, which continue to decline.

– How do you think the situation will develop after the “elections”?

– I think social tension will grow in some areas. Transport fares, prices of consumer goods and medicines will grow.

We can say that pressure in society's “steam boiler” will rise. The “boiler” is getting hotter. On September 1, when parents will have to prepare their children for school, people will feel more keenly that this year's crisis in Belarus is the deepest one for the years of rule of Aliaksandr Lukashenka.