"They didn't replace us, they just didn't hire anyone instead." Labor contract as a method of repression

Politically motivated dismissals through the non-renewal of an employment contract, lists with persons denied the right to a profession, and pressure on those who remain in the profession — these are the things encountered by the Belarusians who participated in solidarity actions in 2020. Two teachers from one Belarusian university told Viasna about their experience. For security reasons, their names have been changed.

How it all started

Krystsina worked at her university for more than ten years, and before that she studied there for nine more. She has an academic degree.

Nina has worked at her university for even more: almost 20 years. Nina is a PhD.

In early September 2020, students of the university where the teachers worked got engaged in political activism, and they were joined by Krystsina and Nina.

"We went out on the porch of the university with posters, and reporters filmed us," they recall. "We showed our disagreement with what was happening in the country. But the rector told us not to interfere," recalls Krystsina. "And that we have no right to speak out or to use the logo, because we are not the university..."

Some people joined the general strike, but Krystsina decided to act differently:

"To strike means to leave the students alone. That's why we staged a kind of Italian strike. We had classes, for example, related to our curriculum in the context of politics. And each lunch break the students organized an action: they stood on the porch of the university."

Soon, the administration began to expel students who had served a term of administrative arrest.

"They were the best students, and the worst stayed,” recalls Krystsina and adds: "And then a policeman was put on watch in the university. This has never happened before. And they also installed CCTV."

Then the layoffs of the university staff began. Krystsina's contract was ending, and then it was not renewed. It was in February 2021.

"As they say, "there are no irreplaceable people." They didn't replace us, they just didn't hire anyone instead, that's all."

KGB officer at the university

Another innovation at the university is the position of vice-rector for personnel policy and discipline.

"But in fact, this is a KGB officer," Nina is sure. "Why do I think so? I didn't do any research, but it was clear from him that he was not a simple person. Especially by the way he talked to me. It was more like some kind of interrogation."

Nina's contract was coming to an end. She was summoned to a conversation with the vice-rector. It was the end of 2021.

"The first thing he started asking when I came in was: did I participate? Well, why should I deny it when we stood out there on the first of September 2020 and the reporters filmed us... And so I tell him, "Yes, I did.” And immediately the next question is: "Who called you there?”. A year after the events, I understand that if I call at least one name, then legally there will be a criminal case initiated against this person, because this would be considered organization of a group! And I immediately realized which way everything was moving. So I said: "Well, I don't remember, it's been a whole year..." And then the threats began: "You know that I can now call the police, and we will draw up a protocol."” I reply: "This is your right, call them."” After the threats, he saw that I did not react to them in any way, and approached from another side. [Then] he started this circle again: "Who invited you there, and why did you go there, and what did you do there?" I say, "Well, I went there because we had a tradition to gather with the teachers at the beginning of the year. Besides, I understood that there would most likely be students there. And they are all-or-nothing people. [I joined them] to calm them down as well." "And why didn't you dissuade them?" I say, "How do you dissuade a person who is a first, second, or even fifth year student, it's all-or-nothing for them." He says: "Well, I realized that our discussion (is not going well)." And the last attempt he made: "Here I am printing out the papers that you will need to read, and I am waiting for you tomorrow morning. Think about it, read them, and maybe you will change your mind after all." I took a look at them. The first paper there was mostly okay, but there was one of the last points: whoever signs this paper, he undertakes to inform, to put it simply, on other teachers, staff, students, if there are suspicious actions going on, not just in public, but even on social media. It was not explicitly written there, but it was clear that all aspects of activity were implied. And I immediately say, "Thank you, thank you," and I left these papers in their place not to take this abomination with me. But the very last thing he said when I was leaving was: "I'll be waiting for you tomorrow morning." It was in early November that we talked with him in 2021. And after that conversation, I was called to pick up a letter signed by the rector which said that they refuse to renew my contract."

Political lists

As Krystsina notes, several times they have heard that there are lists. And then, when she and her colleague wanted to get a job as teachers, the employer directly informed them about it.

"We are grateful to that person because he at least told us the truth. And we realized that we don't have to waste time and go somewhere else to try to find a job. He said he would be happy to take us when it was all over, but now we don't even have to try," says Krystsina.

Solidarity

Krystsina notes that the solidarity of her foreign colleagues helped her a lot when she lost her job.

"This is unexpected and incredibly important, because even though I had some savings, of course, they were not big. And here and there there were proposals, and articles to write, and diasporas to teach online, which was so unexpected and pleasant. I think it's out of respect for how we Belarusians reacted to what happened in the country. Out of respect for the fact that we did not remain silent."