Babruisk Hunger Striker Can’t Use Telephone

18.10.2006.

Today Zmitser Katsiarynich, CEO of Belshyna Company, ordered not to let hunger-striker Alena Zakhozhaya to use telephone at her working place. Members of the Independent Trade Union informed RFE/RL.

Recently the hunger-striker was visited by leader of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Forces Alexander Yarashuk. He points out that “Alena Zakhozhaya impresses with her endless optimism and is very cheerful”. According to Yarashuk, they are trying to solve the problem through the action of international labor union solidarity, organized by BCDF. Belshyna company, Babruisk city authorities and Belnaftahim concern were addressed with letters of protest. Such letters have already been sent by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia, Polish Solidarity Trade Union, and other international labor unions. Alena Zakhozhaya, deputy chair of the independent trade union at Belshyna is on hunger-strike since October 3. She demands to register the legal address of the union at Belshyna and to pay bonuses to members of the Independent Union which they had been deprived of because of discrimination according to the union membership.