Meeting with FTUB Chairman Mikhail Orda

    The Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB) suggests stepping up the protection of employees’ rights. The issue was on the agenda of the meeting of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko with FTUB Chairman Mikhail Orda on 24 October.

    After the meeting Mikhail Orda told reporters that in certain cases an employer is trying to economize on employees by means of illicit job cutting or forced dismissal. “They use such methods as the non-extension of contracts, changes in working conditions,” the FTUB chairman noted. In his words, Aleksandr Lukashenko was totally against the resolution of topical issues by means of firing workers. The head of state emphasized that the protection of workers’ rights is a priority and the pillar of the welfare state.

    “We have made a proposal to enhance the legal protection of contract workers. Trade unions suggest the following mechanism: if a person has been working under a labor contract for a year without any reprimands, the contract should be extended for a maximum period of time,” Mikhail Orda said.

    At the meeting the President and Mikhail Orda discussed the status of implementation of the general agreement between the Belarusian government, republican associations of employers and trade unions. Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that all the agreements envisaged in the document should be fulfilled. “We suggest regulating these issues in the legislation to strengthen the obligation regarding the fulfillment of duties,” the FTUB chairman said.

    The head of state asked about the progress in the modernization of the FTUB, According to the President, these efforts should be continued, making use of the best practices of other countries. All branches of the economy are optimized, and trade unions cannot stand aside from this process.

    Mikhail Orda also informed Aleksandr Lukashenko about the state of affairs at the Minsk-based plant Motovelo, its manufacturing capacity, and the situation in the personnel. “We have put forward proposals regarding the development prospects of this enterprise. The main thing is that it cannot be shut down under any circumstances,” the FTUB chairman is convinced.