Workers against compulsory contracts

23.06.2006.

The Belarusian Radio and Electronics Workers Union (REWU) expressed an initiative: To cancel compulsory contracts! The idea of independent trade union was supported by the united democratic forces of the country. To try to introduce changes to the current legislation initiators of the action should set up an initiative group. The trade union called all parties concerned to join it. The discontent with the system of compulsory fixed-term contracts introduced by Lukashenko and their transformation into chain contracts deprived workers of the rights to social protection and resulted in administrative lawlessness at enterprises, - says Alexander Bukhvostov, one of the REWU leaders. Directors of factories, chiefs of shops and many team leaders treat workers as slaves. Workers from the Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ), the Mogilev Automobile Works (MoAZ), the Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), the Minsk Bearing Plant (MPZ) and other factories tell how big and small bosses humiliate and offend workers imitating the style of management adopted in the republic. Their treatment turns working people into cattle, real working cattle. The trade union has called workers to unite in independent organizations and to struggle against an enslavement and slavish position that the present regime puts them. Struggle for revocation of contractual system [of employment] could become one of such actions. For a long time independent trade unions have been combating against compulsory [employment] contracts. However, they need mass support of workers. Nobody would improve positions of a worker - the president, director or the boss; at the same time they basically do not needed it. They need your labor and your health. Only united in independent trade unions and organizations of workers, workers can change their position, force authorities, directors and bosses to respect them, and therefore, to listen and to implement requirements of people of work. It always and everywhere has been like this. It would be like this in Belarus, - says a material prepared by Alexander Bukhvostov.
Source: www.praca-by.info