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19 February, 2001This resolution was adopted at a workers' protest meeting in Minsk on February 14, 2001.
BELARUS: For the last years the majority of enterprises, collective and state farms were put on the verge of insolvency. The wage of working people became a kind of a tip. Having such high prices workers and farmers, engineers and teachers, pensioners and students all became poor.
If such policy is not changed the country is doomed to economic break down, expansion of poverty, mass violation of workers' rights. We do not wish any radical social disturbances, but shall not tolerate everlasting uncontrolled actions on the part of the state authorities. The obligations of any state is to provide the conditions for productive and decently paid labour. Every citizen should be confident in his future.
Trade Unions all the way were adherent to social dialogue, but today we have to persist on our position, unanimously to defend the right to work and decent life as well as to social protection.
Our demands are simple and clear:
Wages are to be raised up to the level of prices.
The wage rate should be not less than the living wage.
The salaries in the public sector should be equal to average wages in industry.
General Agreement regarding all demands of FTUB must be signed.
Stop any restrictions of the rights of trade unions, interference in their activities, halt the lie and slander on trade unions in state mass-media.
We appeal to the leadership of the country: stop making survive experiments with the people, do not interfere in the work of enterprises, give the people the possibility to ensure themselves decent life for them!
We address to all who is not indifferent to destiny of children and the country's future: to support with their signatures our demands and to participate actively in further collective actions of the unions in order to achieve the objectives set forth.
In Unity is Our Force.
If such policy is not changed the country is doomed to economic break down, expansion of poverty, mass violation of workers' rights. We do not wish any radical social disturbances, but shall not tolerate everlasting uncontrolled actions on the part of the state authorities. The obligations of any state is to provide the conditions for productive and decently paid labour. Every citizen should be confident in his future.
Trade Unions all the way were adherent to social dialogue, but today we have to persist on our position, unanimously to defend the right to work and decent life as well as to social protection.
Our demands are simple and clear:
Wages are to be raised up to the level of prices.
The wage rate should be not less than the living wage.
The salaries in the public sector should be equal to average wages in industry.
General Agreement regarding all demands of FTUB must be signed.
Stop any restrictions of the rights of trade unions, interference in their activities, halt the lie and slander on trade unions in state mass-media.
We appeal to the leadership of the country: stop making survive experiments with the people, do not interfere in the work of enterprises, give the people the possibility to ensure themselves decent life for them!
We address to all who is not indifferent to destiny of children and the country's future: to support with their signatures our demands and to participate actively in further collective actions of the unions in order to achieve the objectives set forth.
In Unity is Our Force.