Leanid Sudalenka: The Situation At Enterprises Is The Time-Delayed Bomb

New mass layoffs of workers are about to take place.

The crisis in the public sector has severely influenced Belarusians. After all, 40% of the economically active population works at state-owned enterprises. Towns with so called backbone enterprises suffered the most.

How will the situation develop in future? Leanid Sudalenka, the legal inspector of labour of the Independent Trade Union of Radio and Electronic Industry (REP), answers questions of Charter97.org.

- Layoffs are inevitable amid the current situation in the Belarusian industrial sector. Independent economists, our Trade Union and other representatives warned the authorities about it. That was expectable. Non-reformed economy can't support so many workers at enterprises.

The problem is that a worker is absolutely vulnerable when he is laid off. The situation is aggravated by only $20-compensation rendered by the labour exchange. It's humiliation. Such procedures do not make any sense.

How will the situation develop in future? We foresee a great work force outflow abroad. And it's already observed. The new tendency in the market is that now Belarusians prefer Poland, Czech Republic, the Baltic States instead of Russia. People turn to Europe. Even the authorities realize that people vote with their feet.

- Many enterprises practice two-three hours working day. It draws up good statistics. How do you assess such practices?

- It's malpractice. It's one thing to work for a person 10-12 days monthly, but when we observe such methods - it's beyond my grasp.

I offer people not to wait for manna from heaven. One must fight for one's welfare. No employer can guarantee it.

Seniors are the most vulnerable in this situation. After all, the young can go abroad.

The vulnerable sector of workers will increase in number caused by the retirement age increase. Lukashenka turns workers against himself. Men are in danger. When person retires at the age of 63, he already misses health at the age of 60. It's really hard to stay competitive at this age.

- People of pre-retirement age are often subject to layoffs. This is discrimination, isn't it?

- If a person's age causes refusal, then it's discrimination. But the obstacle is that every large enterprise has its legal representatives. A person will not be dismissed or denied a job because of age. It means an overt discrimination. Things will be good on paper.

I repeat, Belarus is in the condition when layoffs are inevitable.

Let's take Gomselmash as an example. This is a state-owned enterprise. There are 10 thousand workers; no support on the part of the state means its complete non-competitiveness. More and money is invested; debts are forgiven. The enterprise has turned into a large public labour exchange. Sooner or later it causes no job for people. It's a delayed-action bomb.

- Do you see any parallels between pressure on the REP Trade Union and an ominous economic situation in the country?

- I totally agree with it. The REP Trade Union has perfectly presented itself during protest actions last year. There was no state trade union which opposed that decree. We were the one. The REP Trade Union helped to collect signatures and organize people on the streets. The collapse of the system resulted in the criminal case against trade union's leaders - Henadz Fiadynich and Ihar Komlik.

But we are unstoppable. We continue working. We are communicating, and at the moment I am at the Rechytsa City Court. We help a worker to have his pension which has been registered tardily.

- What could you say to workers whose rights are being violated?

- A stone is the last resort. Of course, I do not incite it. Legal methods are preferrable. For example, people have the right to a strike. My advice is to join independent trade unions. Rights are not granted but retaken.