28.02.2001
February 28, 2001 the national strike of the businessmen was held.
The strike was held despite of resistance and counteraction of Free trade union Belorussky, state trade unions, and the state.
As for 10.00 o’clock of 28.02.2001 more than 160.000 businessmen and people working on hiring from all cities of the Republic of Belarus took part in the strike. The strike had its own peculiarities in different regions. So, in Grodno and Grodno region more than 90 % of the businessmen and people working on hiring struck. At the largest market "Southern" -100 %.
In Minsk - more than 70 % of the businessmen, at Minsk "Dynamo" - 100 %.
In Minsk region - more than 60 % of the businessmen,
In Brest and Brest region - more than 80 % of the businessmen.
In Vitebsk - about 60 % from six markets only two worked: at Smolensky - 70 % worked, at Polotsky - 40 % worked. In Vitebsk region - about 50 %. In Senno - 100 % did not work, Chashniky - 100 % did not work, Beshenkovichy, Gorodok, Tolochino, Uchachy, Shumilino, Dokchitsy, Liozno 100 % did not work, Lepel - 90 % did not work.
In Gomel and Gomel region the strike was supported by more than 50 % of the businessmen.
The strike is organised by the Strike Committee of the businessmen of the Republic of Belarus with the main requirements:
1. Not to admit the increase of the rates of the fixed tax;
2. To dismiss the chairman of the State Tax Committee of the Republic of Belarus
Practically everywhere where people were truthfully informed about the strike – the strike was supported by more than 80 % of the businessmen.
Taking into the account the circumstances which had taken place before the strike, it is possible to approve that it was a success.
The peculiarity of this strike was that circumstance that the leaders of Free and state trade unions began the open struggle against the strike movement of the businessmen. So, for example, in Gomel the chairman of the local Free trade union together with militia arrested the active workers of the Strike Committee who distributed the bulletin "Businessman". In Mogilyov, Vitebsk, Minsk and other cities people visited markets and told to businessmen that the strike is undone. The information that this strike is the pre-election action of Levonevsky practically everywhere and that it would give nothing to the businessmen was distributed. In other words the businessmen were deceived both by public funds of the mass information and by representatives from the Free and state trade unions.
Three reasons of such position of the opponents of the strike.
The first – these trade unions (FTUB and "Sadruzhnosts" are today structures of the Belorussian Popular Front (BPF). The businessmen are said to act against BPF’s and their "unified" candidate’s coming to the office.
The second - the Businessmen invoked by the Strike Committee began to leave from Free and state trade unions as they have understood that they "are fleeced" by fees, and return they are given only "noodles" for ears. These trade unions, except for the protection of their leading bodies - defend nobody's rights. For example, why in Gomel are the largest confiscations and the most unprotected businessmen? Because Free trade union there has learned only to cut a dash and to collect fees.
The third reason, main is that the sabotage of the strike is directed to blow up the prestige of Valery Levonevsky as the candidate in the Presidents of the Republic of Belarus. Against him his potential opponents - structures hired by BPF were united.
This strike showed who really our allies in the struggle for the rights and legitimate interests of the businessmen are and who – toadies and traitors. Now we know them personally. Unfortunately, many businessmen who do not participate in the strike will understand the mistake only then when they should pay a large rent, increased rates of tax, pay certification and huge fines.
The Strike committee continues its work to create the businessmen’s at those markets where there are no our structural divisions. The struggle for our rights will be long and difficult. We are ready to this.
The chairman of the Strike committee of businessmen of the Republic of Belarus
Valery Levonevsky
The press conference on the results of the 28.02.2001strike with the participation of Valery Levonevsky, the chairman of the Strike committee of the Republic of Belarus will be held on Thursday 01.03.2001 in Minsk at 15.00, in the editorial office of the newspaper "Worker" -.Minsk, Freedom square 23.
Information on the phone + 375 (017) 260-97-75
