MINSK, 13 September (BelTA) – The European Union constantly forces its own ways of life upon peoples of the countries belonging to the union. This is why working Hungarians support Belarusian workers in their fight for the right to independently choose their way. Chairman of the Hungarian Communist Party Gyula Thurmer made the statement at the international conference “Impact of global economic challenges on social and labor rights”, which is taking place in Minsk on 13-14 September, BelTA has learned.
The politician admitted he had come to express solidarity with the Belarusian people. “We are against sanctions. We think that the Belarusian nation's fight for independence is not only a fight for the Belarusians' independence but also for the independence of Hungary. Because what happened in Belarus last year may be repeated in Hungary in the future. We don't want that. This is why our support and solidarity are on the side of working Belarusians,” Gyula Thurmer stated.
Hungary has been a member of the European Union for 17 years already. “We joined the union hoping it will protect us from negative consequences of international economic processes. But the European Union does not protect us from anything. We thought we would live like Germans or Austrians but still people in Germany or Austria earn five times more than people in Hungary,” Gyula Thurmer regretted.
In his words, the European Union constantly interferes with Hungary's domestic affairs and forces a way of development the Hungarians did not choose.
Gyula Thurmer said he was pleased to visit Belarus and attend the conference in Minsk. He said: “Belarus is a great country. There are few countries in the world where there are 4 million members of trade unions. There are only 300,000 trade union members in Hungary although the population is roughly the same. There are even fewer countries where the government listens to the opinion of trade unions and appreciates their input in the course of development of action programs. I know only one country where the president insists on having a trade union at every plant and every enterprise. I think it is great.”
The international conference “Impact of global economic challenges on social and labor rights” was initiated by the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB). The idea was backed by the government and the association of employers.
Taking part in the conference are leading experts in the area of international law, representatives of the government, the court system, scientific circles, political analysts, foreign ambassadors, heads of international trade union associations and representatives of the enterprises that have been affected by sanctions. Over the course of two days they are expected to discuss initiatives for preserving stability in the world and fundamental rights of the people. The conference is expected to produce a resolution, which will be sent to the European Union, the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Organization.
