We Need to Create Strike Committees, There Is No Point in Legal Strikes

The workers challenged the authorities.

Employees of Belarusian enterprises actively express their dissatisfaction with what is happening in the country, including declaring strikes. This was stated by the workers of Belaruskalij, Naftan, Hrodna Azot, and other large enterprises. The main demands put forward by the workers are the cessation of violence by law enforcement agencies, the release of those detained during peaceful protests and political prisoners, as well as the resignation of Aliaksandr Lukashenka and the holding of new elections with the participation of independent observers.

Tut.by asked the chairman of the association of trade unions "Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions" Aliaksandr Yarashuk to comment on the situation at the enterprises.

Yaroshuk on why he doesn't see the point in legal strikes

"The legal status of workers is practically destroyed during a strike," says Alexander Yaroshuk. - Its participants are deprived of their salaries; the period of participation in the strike does not give the right to seniority, which is included in the vacation. If the administration supports the strikers, it will only be able to pay them financial aid, but not salaries. Taking all this into account, it is obvious that there is no point in striving to formalize the process of entering a strike within the legal framework. The workers who challenged the state, demanded the resignation of Lukashenka, declared an indefinite political strike, left the workshops, they should go to the bitter end. And people should understand this. And there is absolutely no need to look at the legislation, observe the procedure for conducting a strike. Because the authorities, with their falsifications and brutal reprisals against the participants in peaceful protest actions, crossed out the legislation, put an end to the Constitution.

What are strike committees and why are they needed

Strike committees are now beginning to appear in some large enterprises. According to Aliaksandr Yarashuk, this is necessary in order "to acquire subjectivity to the participants in the strike, to put forward demands to the management of the enterprise, for which they declared the strike, first of all, the recognition of the presidential elections as invalid.

- The creation of strike committees is the most important task. To do this, without any formalism, you just need to hold a meeting, vote and choose a certain number of people who will represent the collective. After that, fill out a protocol with the results of the meeting on the creation of a strike committee in any form, go with it to the employer, and demand that all requirements are met. If the leader does not join them, you can demand his dismissal, since he goes against the workers, - says Aliaksandr Yarashuk.