Leu Marholin: Sole Traders Ready To Unite For Struggle

The situation in the country could be changed by militant actions only.

On June 20 a round table discussion “Entrepreneurship In Belarus In 2016: Survival And Rebooting During Crisis. Lessons, Challenges And Recommendations” was held in Vitsebsk. Well-known economists Leu Marholin and Anton Baltochka, the leader of Vitsebsk sole traders Iryna Yaskevich, as well as about 20 sole traders, have taken part in the event, ucpb.org reports.

The discussion point was the situation in the country in general and with respect to sole traders.

“The situation could be changed by dynamic actions, by uniting, – Leu Marholin noted in his speech. – Sole traders should unite and make a statement, be assertive, and during the “electoral” campaign as well. As it offers a number of opportunities, which sole traders do not have in everyday life. It gives an opportunity to address voters on TV, radio, via the press.”

During the discussion the position of the majority of Vitsebsk sole traders was revealed: one could make a statement (deliver an address), but it would be the last statement of the concrete sole trader who would dare to do so.

“The situation now is very difficult for sole traders, – Leu Marholin noted. – Many have not returned to work. Many have returned, but they understand that they are working at their own risk and peril. Anytime they could be fined, undergo repressions. At the moment the moratorium exists – they are left alone, so to speak, but they fear participation in any active events, fighting for their rights, as everyone understands that the first one to stick his head out is going to receive a heavy blow from the state. So they are trying not to stick their heads out. As for political activities, I think that for today the maximum thing could be expected from them is participation in initiative groups of our candidates.

They have defined their position on the current developments, on the state: they believe that unlike those who are going to be present at the “All-Belarusian assembly” tomorrow, this state and this government have no prospects, as the country is moving in the wrong direction.”