MOZYR, 6 November (BelTA) – Agricultural enterprises will receive new expensive machines and harvesters only under specific conditions. The most important requirement is that such machines must be operated by qualified, professional specialists, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he spoke during the opening ceremony for the renovated bridge over the Pripyat River in Mozyr on 6 November, BelTA has learned.
The head of state noted that a network of agro-towns and agricultural enterprises, established on the basis of former collective and state farms, has already been set up across the country. These are predominantly large-scale enterprises, which is driven by economic factors. “There are no small ones left, even in the Pripyat region. If necessary, we consolidate them further,” the president said.
Naturally, more powerful machinery is needed for work on large plots of land. Domestic enterprises produce a whole range of agricultural machinery and harvesters. However, the mere availability of modern equipment does not guarantee results. “We need competent, qualified people. Therefore, I have told all farm managers: you will not receive a single harvester from Gomselmash until there is a specific person who will operate it: a highly qualified machine operator, on par with an engineer,” the head of state emphasized.
There is also an outflow of labor. People from villages seek more lucrative work in neighboring cities or at large enterprises. As a result, rural areas face a shortage of specialists capable of operating modern, high-powered agricultural machinery. City-based enterprises that have contributed to the rural labor shortage in their own way should come to the rescue in terms of personnel. For example, in Gomel Oblast the oil refinery or the local road construction company should provide from among their employees qualified specialists who can temporarily work at agricultural enterprises during a harvest season. “Sign a contract with him [with such a specialist]: here is a harvester for you. Your average salary is retained [at your main workplace] during a harvest season, and here you earn what is necessary. Work this harvester for a month, a month and a half, or two at most. But you are personally responsible for it, and so is your manager," Aleksandr Lukashenko outlined a possible work scheme.
The head of state's close attention to the preservation and efficient use of equipment can be explained quite simply. The cost of such machines can reach half a million dollars, so handing them over indiscriminately to agricultural enterprises where some workers still live by the principle “have a drink in the morning, skip the whole day” is simply unacceptable, the president believes. “We will help, but on a per-person basis. There must be a machine operator who will actually work this machine,” the head of state outlined the conditions for providing the equipment.
“When such a person is available, then you will receive a grain harvester and a self-propelled forage harvester. And God forbid you if this order is violated. There will be a conversation, like in Vitebsk. And the decisions will be harsh. The situation in Gomel is not that better than in Vitebsk,” the head of state added.
According to the president, he often hears complaints from various people, including officials, about labor shortages, particularly in the regions. However, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that the problem lies not so much in quantity as in quality. "Ivan Ivanovich [Krupko, Chairman of the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee] says there aren't enough people, the Chairman of the Mozyr District Executive Committee... All that, guys, is nonsense. We have enough of everything. The only thing we lack is discipline and order,” the head of state stated.
Naturally, more powerful machinery is needed for work on large plots of land. Domestic enterprises produce a whole range of agricultural machinery and harvesters. However, the mere availability of modern equipment does not guarantee results. “We need competent, qualified people. Therefore, I have told all farm managers: you will not receive a single harvester from Gomselmash until there is a specific person who will operate it: a highly qualified machine operator, on par with an engineer,” the head of state emphasized.
There is also an outflow of labor. People from villages seek more lucrative work in neighboring cities or at large enterprises. As a result, rural areas face a shortage of specialists capable of operating modern, high-powered agricultural machinery. City-based enterprises that have contributed to the rural labor shortage in their own way should come to the rescue in terms of personnel. For example, in Gomel Oblast the oil refinery or the local road construction company should provide from among their employees qualified specialists who can temporarily work at agricultural enterprises during a harvest season. “Sign a contract with him [with such a specialist]: here is a harvester for you. Your average salary is retained [at your main workplace] during a harvest season, and here you earn what is necessary. Work this harvester for a month, a month and a half, or two at most. But you are personally responsible for it, and so is your manager," Aleksandr Lukashenko outlined a possible work scheme.
The head of state's close attention to the preservation and efficient use of equipment can be explained quite simply. The cost of such machines can reach half a million dollars, so handing them over indiscriminately to agricultural enterprises where some workers still live by the principle “have a drink in the morning, skip the whole day” is simply unacceptable, the president believes. “We will help, but on a per-person basis. There must be a machine operator who will actually work this machine,” the head of state outlined the conditions for providing the equipment.
“When such a person is available, then you will receive a grain harvester and a self-propelled forage harvester. And God forbid you if this order is violated. There will be a conversation, like in Vitebsk. And the decisions will be harsh. The situation in Gomel is not that better than in Vitebsk,” the head of state added.
According to the president, he often hears complaints from various people, including officials, about labor shortages, particularly in the regions. However, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that the problem lies not so much in quantity as in quality. "Ivan Ivanovich [Krupko, Chairman of the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee] says there aren't enough people, the Chairman of the Mozyr District Executive Committee... All that, guys, is nonsense. We have enough of everything. The only thing we lack is discipline and order,” the head of state stated.
“Any manager must begin by establishing order and discipline. Not just through force and commands, but according to the law,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized. “Take a road construction company: conduct a planning meeting, issue a written work order. ‘Here is your task, now go work.’ If it is not fulfilled, make a decision regarding that person.” Under these circumstances, even if a disciplined worker tries to sue management, they will probably find no sympathy in court.
“We must value our people. And to truly protect them (and Polesie still has people), we need to employ them effectively. Hold a planning meeting, give written assignments… Here’s your task, now get to work. If it’s not done, the boss will punish you. And if he does, you’ll have no grounds for complaint,” the president explained, adding that even with broad powers, managers ‘cannot act like bandits.’
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that he demands, first and foremost, the strictest observance of technological and production discipline at all levels – from managers to ordinary workers. “A dictatorship of technology. If corn requires rolling and preservation, the preservative must be applied properly to prevent spoilage,” he noted.
“Guys, this isn’t because we have a dictatorship here and I’m a bloodthirsty person. I always say: it’s better to work here, building bridges, than to wander around half-starved in the mud over there [in the conflict zone], and even catch bullets,” the head of state emphasized. “Discipline is very important.” Moreover, the president’s demands are absolutely reasonable and grounded in real-life experience. “I am a down-to-earth person, I understand perfectly: people need support and protection. But they’ve grown completely spoiled: ‘Lukashenko will come and fix everything.’ Well, I won’t do what I shouldn’t do. People must at least take care of themselves and provide for their family, for two children, the third is mine,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
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