OUR CHILDREN DESERVE A BETTER LIFE :: Charter'97 :: News

“Do you remember Lukashenko’s promises when seven years ago he was elected into office? He promised a lot. But today, when his office is coming to its end all we see is just an economic upheaval, indigent people and cheap populism of Lukashenko who cruelly deceived his people. Our children deserve a better life. We do not have the right to deprive them their chance to live normally. We must deliver our families from poverty, give our children and parents prosperity”,-
this is the text of the leaflets that are being distributed by the activists of “ZUBR” in the cities and villages of Minsk region.

“More and more Minsk enterprises increase their production. At Minsk factory ‘Kalibr” now there is a 3 days’ working week. At the large enterprise “BelVAR” - 4 days. About 3 thousand of its workers became the victims of the economic policy carried out by our authorities. Approximately the same situation is at the Minsk garment factory – sewing enterprises are just not able to buy its production. 60% of its workers were sent to low paid vacations.

It influences salaries. People get no more than 40 dollars. Today a physician earns three times less than an ordinary builder. Teachers are forgotten – their demands to increase the salary is simply being ignored. Even the workers of our giant – Minsk tractor factory can’t get their salary in time.

Entrepreneurs of Minsk and Minsk region found themselves in a trap. On one hand they just can’t quit their business in which they invested their capital on the other hand it is almost impossible to work in the conditions they were put to by the government. The payment for lease increase for 40%, taxes increased twofold.

Today nobody doubts that the increase of salary up to 100 dollars promised by Lukashenko is yet another bluff and it will not solve any problems. If even we can reach this point- this salary will be paid and as the result all the enterprises will come to a standstill. We won’t live better. There will be increase in prices that are very high even now.

There is destruction everywhere. Stationary treatment in hospitals is senseless if we do not by ourselves care about expensive medicines. That famous ‘free of charge” medicine can provide only cheap medicaments. Last year in Slutsk the military hospital got only 15% of necessary medicines. In Zodino hospitals are “overcrowded” – patients have to sleep in corridors.

Urban transport is a real probation. Deterioration of buses leads to constant breaks. In Borisov there is simply no funds for supporting the urban transport – the number of buses decreased to 30 vehicles. Roads are in a poor state. Every summer as if it is an insult warm water is switched off, and every summer – central heating.

For decades people can’t get apartments. The best part of our life we are spending in hostels. The promises of the authorities to provide us with housing is simply bluff and demagogy.

Considering our small salaries in order to buy a more or less suitable apartment we have to amass money for 90 years, spending for the life one third of the salary.

Such perspectives are being proposed by our authorities.

Our children deserve a better life. We do not have the right to deprive them their chance to live normally. We must deliver our families from poverty, give our children and parents prosperity.

It is time to make a choice!