MINSK, 16 June (BelTA) – Belarusian workers call on the European Union to stop pressure on the economy of Belarus. Hundreds of letters from enterprises of all sectors of the economy have been sent to the European Union. Such information was voiced during a meeting of the presidium of the FTUB Council, BelTA learned from the press service of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB).
“Those who call for sanctions do it allegedly in the name of Belarusian workers. They say that workers themselves want to live without work and wages. Sooner or later these people will come to say, as hypocritically, that the Belarusians asked for a war in 1941,” FTUB Chairman Mikhail Orda said. “In reality, people want to have a stable job, wages, live in a peaceful country. But Western politicians do not want to hear this and continue to ignore the views of millions of workers. We understand that the threats of new sanctions are nothing but an attempt to intimidate and punish Belarusians for not heeding the calls to destroy their economy and their country. Any sanctions end up hitting ordinary people. This has been openly confirmed by the European Union too.”
Letters to the European Union have bee sent by employees of all sectors of economy: energy, construction, industry, agriculture, forestry, transport and other, and budget-financed sectors. Thus, employees of energy companies say: “We want to work, receive wages, support our families and educate our children,” and urged EU officials to abandon their discriminatory policy against Belarusians.
Representatives of some construction organizations noted that the sanctions “will, first of all, affect the enterprises, Belarusian exports and ultimately the living standards of the Belarusian people, jobs and social security”. People are concerned about the future of their children and grandchildren, as they do not feel confident in the future because of the sanctions and urge EU to stop putting pressure on Belarus.
Workers in the education, culture, and healthcare sectors also speak of the injustice and illegality of sanctions.
“Social programs are at risk because of unconcluded industrial contracts, disrupted contracts, under-delivery of certain products, and non-payments. We are concerned that the sanctions will affect social programs to strengthen healthcare, support birthrate, large families and pensions. We urge you not to limit our ability to build our future,” the statement of healthcare workers reads.
According to the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, the refusal of Western politicians to consider the interests of ordinary people discredits the European Union and undermines the foundations of the world order that has been in place for decades.
