BKDP COUNCIL OPPOSES MASS UNEMPLOYMENT
In connection with the mass reduction of workers at Minsk Truck Manufacturing Company (MAZ) the BKDP Council has made a statement. Independent trade union center believes that this uncontrolled and unregulated mass reduction actually approved by the Government creates a dangerous precedent that can lead either to chaos in the employment market or to its complete collapse. In circumstances of an actually launched privatization process all this will become an additional burden on workers’ shoulders. BKDP Council in its statement has formulated demands to the Government.
STATEMENT
by Council of Trade Union Association "Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions"
The Constitution of Belarus in force guarantees its citizens the right to work. Therefore, state employment policy should be aimed at reduction of unemployment preventing it from getting mass trend, at maintaining the existing and creating new jobs.
However, the Government which is responsible for the national employment policy has chosen a very doubtful way of its implementation. On February 16, 2011 of the current year, the First Vice-Premier Vladimir Semashko said at the meeting in the House of Representatives committee on state construction, local self-government and terms of reference that one of the most effective measures to improve the economic condition of MAZ company were the actions taken by its General director, who, according to a senior official, " has removed" nearly 4,5 thousand workers from the enterprise.
Judging by the statements of Vladimir Semashko in the near future the employees of many other enterprises in the country can share the destiny of the redundant workers of MAZ. As it follows from the statements made by the heads of Ministries of health and education from 10 to 15 percent of health care workers and teachers are to be reduced.
It would not be difficult for the employers to fulfill these recommendations of the Government since the operating system of short-term employment contracts in Belarus can allow to fire workers on expiry of their contracts without any explanation and without pay of termination benefit.
The BKDP believes that this uncontrolled and unregulated mass reduction actually approved by the Government creates a dangerous precedent that can lead either to chaos in the employment market or to its complete collapse. In circumstances of an actually launched privatization process all this will become an additional burden on workers’ shoulders. BKDP Council in its statement has formulated demands to the Government.
In view of the above mentioned as well as with regard to National Constitution, international norms, Law on Employment of the Republic of Belarus, General Agreement between Government, employers and workers’ organizations for 2011-2013 we demand that:
- development and implementation of measures to raise the efficiency of economy should be based solely on respect of the rights and interests of workers and of all citizens of the country as well as ensuring adequate public guarantees in the field of employment;
- a truly record of unemployment level in the country is to be developed using methods of the International Labor Organization (ILO);
- a state program to promote employment for 2011-2013 is to be adopted in the 1st half of 2011 envisaging measures to preserve existing and create new jobs with the provision of further public control on part of trade unions over implementation of this program;
The BKDP reserves the right to continue monitoring the developments in the field of employment concerning the adoption of measures protecting the rights and interests of workers in line with Constitution and laws of the country.
February 24, 2011
BKDP Council
| 25.02.2011 |
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