Meeting with Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus Mikhail Orda

It is necessary to organize and carry out the forthcoming campaign to elect members of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly in a decent, beautiful, and honest manner. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement as he met with Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus Mikhail Orda on 2 May.

The head of state expects trade unions to take an active part in the election campaign. “Don’t go far away from the pre-election campaign – together with public organizations, government agencies, political parties may play some role in the process regardless of whether they are opposition ones or, as we say, pro-government ones. We should decently, beautifully and honestly organize this process,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

“We are now in quite a large electoral cycle – the parliamentary elections followed by the presidential election. You understand perfectly well that no other organization in Belarus is more organized and united than our trade unions,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.

This is why the head of state spoke in favor of broad and vigorous inclusion of the trade unions in election processes, particularly at the stage of the parliamentary elections. It is particularly true for work in election commissions which core is traditionally represented by teachers, medics, and members of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus. “I would very much like you to provide support to municipal authorities in the course of setting up the commissions and organizing the entire pre-election process,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

Trade unions are also expected to actively nominate candidates during the forthcoming parliamentary elections. “Those are experienced people, representatives of labor collectives. Such people should be promoted and nominated. We need good specialists, who could work in the parliament. You’ve worked in the parliament and know that it is hard labor,” the President said. “This is why it is very important for us to see sensible people there.”

The President noted that pricing remains the number one issue for people, and therefore should be in the center of attention of trade unions. “You defend the interests, first of all, [and this is how you position yourselves] of workers, our people. People are very concerned over prices. We are not that rich to buy products at crazy prices, especially those manufactured in the country: food, clothing, and other goods,” he said.

It is a particularly important issue for vulnerable population groups such as veterans, pensioners. “They do not care about foreign brands and prefer to wear and eat the things that are produced in Belarus. How much these things cost depend, in many things, on us,” the President noted.

The head of state recalled that he had already spoken out about the need to monitor pricing on the part of the FTUB and wondered about the progress in this work. “I asked to create a clear system and monitor prices in Belarus. What is the progress here? Why do people constantly draw our attention to this issue in any sociological survey? This issue is among the priority ones,” Aleksandr Lukashenko.

The Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB) has bestowed the medal 115 Years of Trade Unions of Belarus upon Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko. The Belarusian head of state expressed gratitude for the award at the meeting with FTUB Chairman Mikhail Orda.

“Thank you for the award and for the fact that you remember that I once headed the organization,” the President said.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the medal will be kept in the Palace of Independence museum which features all the awards and presents to the President.

Mikhail Orda explained that the decision to award Aleksandr Lukashenko with the medal was taken at the meeting of the Presidium of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus. “We have decided to honor you with the medal as the country pursues the policy towards building a social state and keeps social matters high on the agenda,” the FTUB chairman said.