Information source: www.praca-by.info

18.02.2007 As was reported by the trade union of the workers of radio-electronic industry (RAP), which is one of the organizers of the campaign for the cancellation of general contracts of Belorussian workers, the necessary quantity of signatures has been assembled.

During March, the meeting on the selection of the leading organs of the initiative-taking group on the realization of the legislative initiative of citizens will take place. Now these signatures are being checked.

Chairman RAP Gennadi Fedynich said that toward the end of February, the Communists (PKB) plan to join the campaign. The trade union RAP came out in spring last year with the initiative to introduce changes in the Labor Code in the legislative system in order to forbid the mass use of a system of short term working contracts. The idea of the independent trade union was supported by the united democratic forces of the country.

As is well known, Belarus’ contract system covers practically 90% of workers of enterprises and establishments of different branches of national economy, which, by the way, is a European record.

According to the data of trade union RAP, about 70% of workers who have signed these contracts are not content by the prevailing system of working relations and desire it to change.

PS: It seems that this news – signifies that it is time to activate an anarchist support campaign against the urgent (short term) contracts. It is very important not to accept that the fight of workers could be limited by trade-union quarrels. The test of our solidarity, and also capability for mobilization itself and others will be May Day 2007.

Translator’s note: Belarus seems to have a similar system to Poland – the default work contract is permanent – unless a work contract states that it is temporary, then by law it is “permanent”. It seems that 90% of workers are now on temporary contracts. This is why “cancelling contracts” would make the workers’ situations better.

Please correct any factual mistranslations! Article open for editing!