Belarusians Robbed :: Charter'97 :: News

Today we are witnessing another great plundering of the nation. The root-cause of the massive nation’s impoverishment is Alexander Lukashenko’s incompetent governing. As any other official, who failed to carry out his duties, he has to resign, said one of the organizers of the People’s March “For Better Life!” Dmitry Bondarenko.

- At yesterday’s press-conference you mentioned the second large robbery of the nation. Could you, please, clarify what you meant by saying so?

- The first robbery occurred in late 80ies – early 90ies. Because of the rocketing hyperinflation millions of our countrymen lost their bank deposits. Back then the Belarusian authorities put all blame on Moscow. The promise to compensate lost deposits ensured Alexander Lukashenko’s victory at the presidential elections in 1994. This promise, of course, remained only in words. Another significant fall in the living standards occurred in the end of 1998, when the country was rocked by the Russian default. Then there also took place collapse of the Belarusian ruble and reduction of prices in dollar equivalent, which, in combination with the enlivened economy, softened the consequences of this crisis. Today we also observe an exclusively Belarusian phenomenon: the people simply get robbed through unbelievably high growth of public utilities tariffs. And there are absolutely no hopes for the better. The people are “comforted” by the authorities with the words that they only pay 50% of the real cost, while they should pay 100%. The authorities keep in oblivion Alexander Lukashenko’s promises to raise the living standard of Belarusians to the level of the developed European countries.

But in reality everything looks different. Take, for example, the life of an ordinary Belarusian family of four, living in their three-room apartment. Let’s say a husband and wife work, each receiving $100, although not so many, especially in the province, can boast of getting that much. So, the total monthly family budget constitutes 400thsd rubles. 80thsd immediately go to cover public utilities fees, electricity and telephone. Minimal expenses for one man’s nutrition must not exceed one dollar per diem. In general, to buy food the family needs $120 or 230thsd rubles. 30thsd are paid for transport fees. And so, in total, they spend 340thsd per month for public utilities and public transport. 60thsd rubles are left for all other needs. But what if they have no apartment of their own? Or someone suddenly fell sick? Or one of the adults suddenly lost job? Pensioners’ life is even more frustrating and hard. The situation is really disastrous.

- But do you think it can last for long? What’s your future forecast?

- I figure, the workers will embark on spontaneous strikes in February. Great responsibility will be placed in such a situation on shoulders of the leaders of democratic parties, trade unions, political parties, public organizations. Now we are talking about the very survival of the Belarusian citizens and nation in general. We got to exert pressure on the authorities in order to put an end to this thoughtless policy.

- If, as you say, the responsibility remains with the democratic leaders, then what can we do about their inability to agree with each other?

- Protection of people’s social rights is something, which is understood and welcomed by all. What we need is not a void declaration of unity, but rather the real unification of those, who proved their ability for resistance. In other words, we need unity in action. Opposition can hold meetings and demonstrations, while entrepreneurs can organize multi-thousand strong strikes. Why not join our efforts?

- Is there any official reaction to the People’s March initiative?

- Yes, such a reaction exists. Roughly one hour after the press-conference, when we said bye to everyone and left in different directions in small groups, I received a phone call from my colleague, who told me: “Some guys are after you. I walked past a man, who told someone on walkie-talkie that you had just crossed the street”. Indeed we noticed two strong-looking young guys, who followed in our footsteps. I suggest that Lukashenko instead of hiring them, pay this money to pensioners. He still has some time left, though it is running out real quick.