Aliaksandr Bukhvastau: Government to Pay High Price for Workers' Rights Abuse

Only solidarity of workers can force the regime to back down.

Today on June 30 "members of the Parliament" plan to consolidate rules of Decree No. 29 in the Labor Code, which legalized the contract system in the country, and Decree No. 5, which has significantly tighten working conditions of employees, praca-by.info writes. What is the reaction of independent Trade Unions?

Henadz Fyadynich, Chairman of the REP Trade Union: "The issue of abolition of contract system will be relevant"

- It is clear why it has been decided to amend decrees in the Labour Code. According to our legislation, decrees of the President cannot last forever. It is clear that deputies of the House of Representatives have been forced to amend the Labour Code before the end of their office. The authorities have decided not to care about the opinion of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and do everything to spite not only independent Trade Unions, but also those belonging to the Belarusian Federation of Trade Unions (although it keeps silent).

Even if such norms are adopted, it does negate the fact that they go contrary to international conventions ratified by Belarus as well. The issue of abolition of contract system will be relevant.

Members of the House of Representatives must remember that the names of those who took part in the voting will be public. And we will do our best to make these "heroes" public. Especially those who have decided to run for other term. Neither deputies nor the government can get away with murder.

Aliaksandr Bukhvastau, Chairman of Independent Trade Union of metal workers: "Undesirable consequences for the government are expected"

- The activity of the government can be explained. Paragraphs of Decrees ran contrary to the Labour Code. We fought for the abolition of the decrees, but on the contrary the government has decided to consolidate their position in the Labour Code. It is done by purpose not to let employees to express their discontent.

It does not clear what the government hopes for taking the exacerbation of relations with the ILO, it is strictly said that the abolition of Decrees No. 29 and No. 5 are required. Perhaps, they believe that thaw in relations with the West makes them shut their eyes.

But I think the negative reaction of the ILO is expected.

Will it be more difficult to abolish provisions which infringe rights of workers? Technically yes, earlier only Lukashenka's pen stroke was needed. But, in fact, nothing has changed. Only solidarity of workers can make a difference, because only Lukashenka still can make a difference.