The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

As RFE/RL reports, electrical equipment assemblers at the main production site of the Barysau plant of automotive and tractor electrical equipment (BATE) stopped their work in the morning on 13 February. Workers of the second production site joined the strike. Workers are reported to have stopped working protesting against low wages. The received only 1.3-1.5 million rubles in January.

In Belarus a part of individual entrepreneurs continue a strike against presidential decree #760, by which they have been prohibited to hire staff with the exception of three close relatives.

Belarusian entrepreneurs begin a mass campaign on refusing to pay taxes from today.

‘About 50-60% of Belarusian entrepreneurs supported the strike. In Minsk only about 40% worked,’ said the leader of the campaign For Free Development of Business Viktar Harbachou.

Entrepreneurs from Brest expressed their solidarity with the demands made at the protest demonstration in Minsk and decided on continuing the strike until all people, sentenced to arrest on 10 January, are released.

Anatol Shumchanka, leader of Perspektyva movement, urged all entrepreneurs to take part in the strike on December 19th.

This information was distributed by activists of the entrepreneurs’ organization 'Perspective'. The leader of 'Perspective' Anatol Shumchanka said that the strike of entrepreneurs against presidential decree #760 prohibiting the employment of non-relatives, would take place at the markets of Minsk and all oblast capitals. He also said that provincial entrepreneurs can join the action as well.

Barysau entrepreneurs announce a warning strike