Member of independent trade union loses job in Babruisk

Aliaksandr Mikitka, member of the Free Trade Union’s office at the Babruisk-based Plant of Tractor Parts and Assemblies, was notified that his labor contract had expired and the management no longer wished to see him in the enterprise. Earlier this month, the activist won a lawsuit against his employer over a failure to pay bonuses.

“We believe that the main reason for the termination of the contract is Aliaksandr Mikitka’s membership in the FTU,” says the chairman of the trade union’s office Mikhail Kavalkou. “Back on 11 February, I sent a petition to the director of the plant, and I still got no response. It noted that last year that the FTU members were warned that their contracts would not be extended. And I heard a promise that there would be no pressure on the trade union activist. But again, there is no response to our questions. By the way, the plant did not want to pay the 300,000 (30 USD) bonus even after the court’s decision! The money was transferred only after court officials intervened in the case and sent a paper to demand payment within seven days.”