Pickets against employment contracts banned across Belarus

The city executive committee of Mahiliou forbade holding a picket in front of the city administration building on 7 October, the World Day for Decent Work.

The ban was imposed due to choosing an improper place for public events. The organizer of the picket, member of the Electronic Industry Trade Union Aliaksei Yauhenau, says deputy committee head Mikalai Mikhalenia offered to carry out on the stadium in Chaliuskintsau Street, RFE/RL reports.

“It's clear that the stadium is not suitable for holding a picket – no one will notice it there. About 30 planned to take part in the picket in front of the city executive committee building. We were going to demand the government to cancel the system of fixed-term employment contracts that violates international standards, the Belarusian Constitution and labour legislation and stop discrimination in labour relations, including discrimination over membership in independent trade unions. We were also going to demand equal opportunities for exercising the right to work, safe work conditions and decent pay. We faced a rather difficult situation with pay and unemployment. Of course, the authorities do not want public protest actions and they banned the picket. We earlier applied for holding a picket on the stadium. But our applications were declined,” Yauhenau says.

The activist informs that pickets were also banned in Minsk, Homel, Vitsebsk and Brest.