Meeting with FTUB Chairman Mikhail Orda
President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB) Mikhail Orda on 2 December.
The head of state urged the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus to ramp up work.
In his opinion, the organization managed to keep balance. “In spite of the positive role which trade unions played and play, they were and will be subjected to criticism. But our trade unions always had a tough, constructive and objective position: if employers or workers are wrong they must be held responsible. Populism and favoritism will not do any good,” the President remarked.
“But nevertheless, I have been told and I feel that heads of trade unions often appear in isolation from workers of companies. In modern conditions we cannot do without trade unions. Since these people are my voters, I must look for the organizations that will help me in the existing situation, will protect the interests and rights of our people”
“Therefore, you need to be closer to people. You have all tools for it. I would like you to visit companies more often, especially problem ones, to see into the situation and to make an objective evaluation of this situation,” the head of state said.
The President expects support from the FTUB while implementing the ordinance on accountability for executives. “We will give additional authorities to executives; however we will simultaneously toughen up requirements to them. Trade unions should also be involved in the effort and should help me monitor the progress in implementing the decree, so that we will not mess things up. The discipline at workplace is disastrous. This pertains to workers, peasants, middle management, top management and senior executives. I am not at all happy with it,” the head of state said.
“Everything should be fair,” Aleksandr Lukashenko underlined.
The President also touched upon the issue of organizing trade unions at private companies. “Trade unions need to exist in private companies. They have not been created everywhere yet,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. “I have always warned that state-run and private companies will be treated equally. Therefore, more effort should be put into the final establishment of trade union organizations in the private sector. We have a lot of problems there, too. While we closely monitor the situation in state-run enterprises, problems emerge in private enterprises and the people need support and protection,” he added. The head of state added that he was not speaking about people, who are unwilling to work. In his words, measures to handle such people will always be available.
Apart from that, it is necessary to complete the process of the renovation of the physical infrastructure of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus. The President once again pointed out that revenues of the Federation partly depend on the state of the physical infrastructure. The head of state also remarked that sport schools, hobby groups have always operated under the aegis of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus and they should continue doing so as normal.
“We will discuss these issues at the conference of trade unions. We will have to pass an exam before the members of trade unions. But it my exam as well because these people are my voters,” the President said.
The meeting focused on a wide range of issues, including salaries, social protection of workers, support of young families.
The head of state urged the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus to ramp up work.
In his opinion, the organization managed to keep balance. “In spite of the positive role which trade unions played and play, they were and will be subjected to criticism. But our trade unions always had a tough, constructive and objective position: if employers or workers are wrong they must be held responsible. Populism and favoritism will not do any good,” the President remarked.
“But nevertheless, I have been told and I feel that heads of trade unions often appear in isolation from workers of companies. In modern conditions we cannot do without trade unions. Since these people are my voters, I must look for the organizations that will help me in the existing situation, will protect the interests and rights of our people”
“Therefore, you need to be closer to people. You have all tools for it. I would like you to visit companies more often, especially problem ones, to see into the situation and to make an objective evaluation of this situation,” the head of state said.
The President expects support from the FTUB while implementing the ordinance on accountability for executives. “We will give additional authorities to executives; however we will simultaneously toughen up requirements to them. Trade unions should also be involved in the effort and should help me monitor the progress in implementing the decree, so that we will not mess things up. The discipline at workplace is disastrous. This pertains to workers, peasants, middle management, top management and senior executives. I am not at all happy with it,” the head of state said.
“Everything should be fair,” Aleksandr Lukashenko underlined.
The President also touched upon the issue of organizing trade unions at private companies. “Trade unions need to exist in private companies. They have not been created everywhere yet,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. “I have always warned that state-run and private companies will be treated equally. Therefore, more effort should be put into the final establishment of trade union organizations in the private sector. We have a lot of problems there, too. While we closely monitor the situation in state-run enterprises, problems emerge in private enterprises and the people need support and protection,” he added. The head of state added that he was not speaking about people, who are unwilling to work. In his words, measures to handle such people will always be available.
Apart from that, it is necessary to complete the process of the renovation of the physical infrastructure of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus. The President once again pointed out that revenues of the Federation partly depend on the state of the physical infrastructure. The head of state also remarked that sport schools, hobby groups have always operated under the aegis of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus and they should continue doing so as normal.
“We will discuss these issues at the conference of trade unions. We will have to pass an exam before the members of trade unions. But it my exam as well because these people are my voters,” the President said.
The meeting focused on a wide range of issues, including salaries, social protection of workers, support of young families.