All-Republican Protest Scheduled For March, 5 :: Charter'97 :: News

The presidium of the Trade Union Federation addressed its members with a proposal to carry out an all-republican protest action. The trade union of the agriculture mechanical engineering was the initiator the protest. Its leader Alyaxandar Bukhvostau declared at the session of the trade union Federation that further dialogue with the authorities on the problem of trade union dues collection is pointless.

“People are waiting for decisive actions. Slowness in making decisions makes unpleasant impression. As if Federation’s leadership is powerless. A month has passed, but there are no results, and we are to make up our mind immediately. Trade union workers do not receive payment. People do not understand why they have to collect dues in cash. Workers ask, if we are able to protect them, when we you cannot protect ourselves. It could affect the image of the Federation, if we have not come to a decision”, - said Bukhvostau in his interview to Radio Svaboda.

Speeches at the sitting of the trade union organizers yesterday proved Bukhvoostau’s words. For instance, Eduard Hrihutsik, deputy chairman of the trade union committee of the tractor-building plant, said: “We have a historical right today to stand up for our human dignity and honor. However low we would bow our head, it will be guillotined if we won’t defend ourselves”.

The members of the presidium almost unanimously voted for the initiative to carry out all-republican protest on March, 5.It is yet unknown the form of the protest.

“The form of the protest will depend on readiness of the regions, and on support of the primary trade unions. I think that if there will be support of the primary trade unions, ordinary trade union members, this action in Minsk can transform into a meeting of the whole city. Meetings, pickets, demonstrations can be held in capitals of regions and districts”, - said Vrants Vitko, FTU leader, to Radio Svaboda.