War With Independent Trade Unions :: Charter'97 :: News

Activists of the primary organization of the Free Trade Union of Belarus (FTUB) at the Babrujsk factory of tractor details and equipment are ready to stick out defending their organization, said a trade union leader Mikhail Kavalkou to the internet-source www.praca-by.info . “The situation at the factory is war-like,” Mikhail says. “Pressure on our members is exerted at all directions. Production foremen offered workers to join the official trade union ASM, and in exchange for that they are offered extension of a contract, higher wages and a higher skill-category”.

The campaign for intimidating FTUB members at the factory started in the beginning of April. Members of the independent trade union were warned that their contracts would not be prolonged. After the meeting of the chairman of the Belarusian congress of democratic trade unions (BCDTU) with the director of the factory the situation improved for some time. But it was not for a long time. Soon production foremen started their pressure on Free Trade Union members again.

As said by Mikhail Kavalkou, workers are simply delivered an ultimatum: “If you would not leave the trade union today, tomorrow it would be late!” As a result, 680 members left the trade union in April, which is about 20% of members.

The administration of the factory denies its involvement in the war with trade unions. Director of the factory calls that an agitation for leaving one trade union for another.

Mikhail Kavalkou is indignant: “It’s an agitation abusing one’s official position. Foremen and maintenance men have lists of our members, and they are carrying out “conversations” with them. But people come to our trade union and tell us everything. We register all facts of pressure on our members, and we are not going to let the grass grow under feet”.

The Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions has organized a campaign of solidarity with independent trade union of Babrujsk factory. The International Labour Organization and International Confederation of Trade Unions are informed about the situation at the factory. On May 31 the European Commission may deprive Belarus of trade preferences. The administration of Babrujsk Factory would be among those responsible for economic losses of the country.