One-day Nationwide Warning Strike of Belarusian Businessmen

13.02.2004.

On 12 February one day nationwide warning strike of businessmen in support of Vitsebsk hunger-strikers took place in Belarus.

According to the press-service of the strike committee of businessmen, more than 20 000 businessmen took place in the strike. It was an action of solidarity with thirty Vitsebsk businessmen who kept hungering since 1 February in connection with the fact that Vitsebsk authorities decided to give the status of trade centers to all city markets. That's why they obliged businessmen to by cash registers, increased the rent and in certain cases confiscated goods. As a result the overwhelming majority of businessmen can become bankrupts, though some of them incur considerable financial losses.

Businessmen of the open markets of Hrodna, Minsk and Vitsebsk were the most active ones. "Dynama" market of Minsk didn't work at all. Businessmen also didn't come to work at such Minsk markets as "Zhdanovichy", "Uruchcha", "Svelta", "Chervenski", etc.

If the authorities don't execute the demands of the businessmen to hold negotiations till 20 February, on 1 March the businessmen will go on termless strike with non-payment of dues and taxes.