YOU’LL FAIL TO BAN US!
“Whatever repressions and threats, obstructions and bans are undertaken by the regime they will never force us to refuse from struggling for the rights and interests of our members and of all working people of the country. On the contrary, they will make our determination even stronger in order to restore the rule of law in the country and bring the citizens back their legitimate right for freedom, social justice, decent work and decent life”---- says the BKDP Statement adopted on the eve of October 7 World Day for Decent Work. We recall that the Minsk city authorities have refused the BKDP to hold a meeting dedicated to World Day for Decent Work on October 7.
STATEMENT
of the Council of Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP)
of the Council of Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP)
On Monday, on 7 October trade unions from all over the world will mark the World Day for Decent Work proclaimed by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). On this day the workers’ organizations will organize various activities: demonstrations, marching, rallies, picketing to express common demand and common aspirations of all workers worldwide – to have the right for decent work, decent wages and better life.
And only one country will stay on this day as a black spot on the world trade union map. To our shame and discredit such a country will be Belarus. Belarusian regime has forbidden the BKDP, the ITUC affiliate, to organize on this day on the initiative of free and independent unions a rally in Minsk.
The authorities once again have demonstrated their antipopular nature. Being unable to find adequate measures to challenges of time the regime is trying to solve growing workers’ problems using only one method – bans and crackdown. Mass short-term contract system as well as introducing forced labor has brought Belarus in the sphere of labor relations back to the wild Dark Ages. What kind of decent labor in the conditions of contemporary serfdom and slavery in Belarus one can talk about?
Can labor be regarded as decent one in the country where problems with wages and salaries and their payment have chronic character, where inflation and prices are highest in Europe, where majority of workers can hardly make ends meet? Therefore, the workers loose their confidence in future; social tension and protest moods are being forming gradually.
The fear of inevitable payback for the dead-lock working people have been led to by the current regime makes this regime strengthen pressure and tighten reprisals against independent unions and their members. Belarusian regime is in panic fear that the BKDP may become a consolidating factor of the forming protest moods among workers and bans organizing any events where the BKDP and its affiliates are involved.
Whatever repressions and threats, obstructions and bans are undertaken by the regime they will never force us to refuse from struggling for the rights and interests of our members and all working people of the country. On the contrary, they will make our determination even stronger in order to restore the rule of law in the country and return to the citizens back their legitimate right for freedom, social justice, decent work and decent life.
There are no doubts that we shall be the winners in this struggle!
4 October 2013, Minsk