Aleksandr Lukashenko meets with FTUB Chairman Leonid Kozik

The Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB) is ready to accommodate about 1,000 guests and participants of the forthcoming ice hockey world championship in recreation camps around Minsk. The statement was made as President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko met with FTUB Chairman Leonid Kozik on 16 April.

The head of state was interested in what the Federation had done to prepare the facilities for welcoming participants and guests of the ice hockey world championship. “We are at a certain stage for summing up results of what the trade unions have promised to accomplish for the ice hockey world championship. I think you have taken care of the facilities and it may be profitable for you,” said the President. “What has been built, rebuilt, and prepared out of the number of old facilities for the sake of accommodating the guests? These facilities will also be useful in the future because our people will keep them. We didn’t do it for the sake of accommodating only foreigners or our fans who will attend the world championship”.

Leonid Kozik said that the FTUB had fulfilled the President’s instruction and had prepared its bases around Minsk for welcoming guests of the championship. The facilities will be able to accommodate about 1,000 people. According to the official, these facilities offer virtually the same choice of services that modern hotels do. If there is a will, guests and participants of the ice hockey world championship will be able to receive curative treatment as an extra option just like other clients can.

Aleksandr Lukashenko asked the FTUB Chairman to tell him about the situation regarding the trade union movement and about problems that require attention.

The President thanked the trade unions for “the calm, silent, and unobtrusive organization of elections to the municipal councils of deputies”. “Great job! Without any noise. Even mass media didn’t mention anything but you did a lot of work, particularly in the commissions that took care of arranging elections to the municipal councils of deputies,” said the head of state.

Leonid Kozik remarked that trade union representatives had accounted for 30-46% of the election commission membership. Apart from that, about 3,000 trade union activists became deputies.

Speaking about the situation regarding the trade union movement, the FTUB Chairman noted that it was normal. There are 23,000 trade union organizations in the country and they know people’s moods, their problems and wishes.

The head of state was informed about the fulfillment of his previously given instructions regarding the interaction with labor collectives, the creation of normal working conditions, and on-the-job safety.

Leonid Kozik told the President about events going on in view of the celebration of the 110^th anniversary of the trade union movement and about plans to arrange a traditional rally in the Yanka Kupala park on 1 May.

Sanatorium treatment and children’s recreation were also mentioned. Aleksandr Lukashenko was interested in the number of sanatoriums in the country and their state. Leonid Kozik said that foreign citizens, primarily citizens of the Russian Federation, constitute about half of the clients in the sanatoriums. They are pleased with the conditions and the medical services. In his words, Belarusian sanatoriums operate at 100% of their capacity all the year round.

As far as children's recreation is concerned, plans have been made for the recreation of 345,000 children in summer camps this year. Parents will have to pay no more than 10% of the recreation cost. The Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus has allocated money for every oblast to offer cheaper recreation for children from large families and low-income families.