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Speech of the Aleksandr Jaroshuk,
head of the Belorussian Agro-Industrial Trade Union
July12, Minsk. Dear Delegates! Dear
Guests!
Many events have happened during the five
years between the Second and the Third Congresses of our
Union. Let us remember 1995. It was the time after a dramatic
period of re-assessment of values and collapse of seemingly
unshakable institutions of the Communist Party and Komsomol;
the period that touched upon, although failed to ruin, the
most massive workers’ organization - trade unions. The
reason of their survival is simple - they turned out to be the
simplest and closest to common people.
It was not by chance that this idea was focal
in the course of current election campaign. It was repeatedly
referred to at the shop-floor, district, city, and oblast
level trade union conferences.
I believe, that this fact may be considered
not only as the best appreciation, but also as the highest
form of confidence which must be given ultimate protection and
carried safe through times and troubles. This is the first
conclusion we may make when analyzing our activities of the
reporting period. To save our organizations as they are - is
our basic strategy for the future.
To carry out this task is not too easy. The
Agrarian and Industrial trade union, being an organic part of
the sector and sharing its painful fate, reflects in itself
and its members all processes - regrettably negative -
happening inside the industry. We have to state that the
agrarian and industrial complex and its base, agricultural
production, are still in a critical situation, which is only
natural because the state has been persistently trying to pull
economy out of crisis at the expense of rural areas. In
effect, we got the tiresome disparity of prices: prices for
energy, industrial products and services have been growing 3.3
times faster than these for agricultural products.
Unfortunately, the trend has not been brought to a stop so
far.
It may not be proper to refer to the situation
in the agrarian and industrial complex and bring to the fore
the principle, as we believe, errors made by the State in the
agricultural policy, at our trade union Congress. You know how
touchy may be our administration in respect of any criticism
in this respect. The more so, when it comes out from trade
unions.
It may also be true that trade unions should
not be dealing with economic problems and making judgments on
forming the country’s economic policy. Because trade unions
are not political organizations.
But would it be proper when speaking about our
primary mission of
protecting interests of those working in our
sector and existing multiple problems only to name the
challenges? Would it be proper to avoid exposing the roots
when speaking about results? May we be then called a serious
and responsible organization?
We need to recall a wise rule: if you are nor
dealing with politics, just wait and politics will start
dealing with you.
Having this in mind and being driven by our
common interests, being preoccupied with the fate of our
sector and our nation, being true citizens and real patriots,
we have no rights to be outside viewers only witnessing the
processes in the national economy. A trade union will never
win authority and members respect if it passes by the problem
of wages. Passes by without exposing roots and insisting on
finding solutions. Thus our organization trespasses the
boundaries of economic and social spheres and enters politics.
This is the fact to accept.
No secret, today many would like to have trade
unions as a well trained, tamed and controlled pet. Or, to put
it in modern terms, a driving belt or a buffer. Shall I
comment on it? For any soberly minded person - the Congress
delegates including - it is clear that in such a capacity the
organization will gradually become outdated and lose its
meaning, authority and influence. Surprisingly, such a role
will not suit the powers as well.
Any normal state carrying out responsible
policy is interested in strengthening rather than weakening
its institutions. It needs strong, rather than weak trade
unions, as the ultimate goal of any state and any trade union
despite all differences is the same - to improve quality of
citizens’ life.
On the other hand, we need to bear in mind
that trade unions’ activities is just a “mirror”
reflecting the nature and the outcomes of the social and
economic policy carried out in the country. As we all know,
there is no rational in blaming a mirror for poor images.
The urgency of radical reforms in the agrarian
policy is evident. The resources of resuscitated command
economy appeared to be scarce and could only support a short
period of stabilization in 1996-1997. An economic miracle has
not happened. And it will never happen with the erroneous
pricing policy and absence of any transformations in
agriculture.
It would not be serious to explain the current
protracted crisis by unfavorable weather conditions. Yes, it
is true that for over three years it has not been helping the
farmers. However, it is also true that so far no practical
measures to protect this vulnerable sector against harsh
weather have been taken.
Objectively speaking, the National government
is doing its utmost by financing the agrarian and industrial
sector from the budget and extra-budgetary sources much more
than our neighbors. The question is not in the amount of money
but in the way the money is spent. Our viewpoint is that it is
spent irrationally.
What a Master is usually doing when his
financial and material resources are in short supply? He is
concentrating them on the best lands in order to get
“maximum” guaranteed return. While the worst lands are
left out of the process. This is being done in neighboring
Lithuania and Poland. This is started to be done in Russia and
Ukraine where , although in pains and labors, efforts are made
to form landowners. It is high time we realize that the
country has exhausted all its potential of extensive
development in agriculture. As we do not have and will never
have practically free energy and material resources, as we
will never be able to process land and protect plants at least
at the Soviet time level, we need to very seriously reconsider
the very fundamentals of our agricultural business. It is
worth considering why in the USA they plow 27 percent of the
arable lands, in Western Europe 40-50, while in Belarus the
figure is 70 percent! Why do we have the largest arable land
ratio per capita in Europe! Consider a question why rich
America and Europe are not plowing all their lands while poor
Belarus is doing it the other way round? Or putting it
differently, they are so rich because the can calculate well,
and we are poor because our ideology is “to use the land up
to the last acre of barren sand”. And we put this ideology
above an economic or just common sense. Let us take the Minsk
oblast. It may happen that, having plowed perennial grass,
hayfields and pastures, even with the crop capacity of 10-15
metric hundredweight, they will produce 2 million metric tons
of grain. The country as whole may reach its objective of 9
million tons. However, after reaching these “outstanding
achievements” in such a way - no one is daring to do it
differently - it would be much cheaper to buy grain in China
despite huge transportation costs. To say nothing about
neighboring Poland where farmers dot not bother cultivating
lands with the yield less than 15 metric hundredweight.
It is high time we change the philosophy of
agricultural production and bring it closer to generally
accepted standards. There is no sense in lulling ourselves
with the showings of the past like the volumes of production
per capita. Nobody it the world takes them into account today.
Production is the target in itself. In the open market economy
one needs to produce the very much that can be sold. In other
words, competitiveness is the measure of success.
What is happening with the competitiveness of
our produce? We are gradually losing positions not only in the
external, first of all Russian, markets, but in our domestic
market as well. Cattle-breeding has been chronically bringing
losses. According to the official statistics half farms were
unprofitable last year. And according to unofficial statistics
only from 10 to 15 farms are really managing to make both ends
meet.
In case we stick to the hang-the-expense
approach in future, the sector will continue losing grounds.
While climatic conditions will remain hostile. This is not a
prophecy, but a vision of a poor picture resulting from a
specific agricultural policy in the country. The policy which
is orientated to the past instead of the future. The policy
which is orientated at sticking to outdated economic ways
instead of looking for new ones. No positive developments are
indeed possible unless we have got economic interests of
Masters either in agriculture, or in industry. No doubt, we
need to improve discipline and responsibility. However, to
rely solely upon these measures is useless and fruitless. No
nation has become affluent by means of force.
No progress is possible if we stuck to the
present-day format of our agriculture. Naturally, undertaking
reforms in the agrarian and industrial complex is a risky and
adventurous endeavor. Because it involves vital interests of
thousands. However, we need to put together our courage and
patience, and to give start to the process without being
afraid of temporary failures. It is true for new forms of
ownership in agriculture, joint-stock processing enterprises,
food staff or service companies, or organizations.
We have to realize that it was much easier to
collectivize means of production. The reverse way to economic
freedom is much harder. Still it must be made. The fist step
must be made without delay, as we are not in the position to
waste time.
The alternative to our idleness will be
further deterioration of agriculture and rural economy. The
process is gaining momentum spreading despair over rural
citizens which is reflected in sweeping alcoholism. Can we
speak about any sort of attractive image of a rural way of
life? It was not by chance that in the last nine years the
payrolls of kolkhozes and sovkhozes shrinked twofold. Almost
90 percent of rural migrants to cities is the age group of
16-29. To make this pessimistic more complete we can only add
demographic statistics:
the level of mortality in the country two
times exceeds the birth-rate. In certain regions even three of
four times!
Urgent measures must be taken in order to
revive the country. The Trade Union of Agrarian and Industrial
Complex while recognizing a historic significance of such a
measure, is offering its assistance and readiness to share
responsibility with the government and administration in
carrying out this noble mission. Including unpopular but
courageous decisions related to transforming existing
industrial relations and granting to peasants true economic
freedom. We are ready to use our authority and influence for
explaining the necessity and importance of such steps for the
future of the sector and the nation.
At present, the iron grip of the state
regulation, or rather, dictatorship, has brought agriculture
and processing industry - and the country as a whole - to the
brink of degradation and bankruptcy. Workers in these sectors
do not get decent wages, as their average pay for the last
five months of 25,000 Roubles or 25 USD cannot be called
decent. So, our Union finds it proper to resort to its right
to protest using all applicable ways and methods. In its
nature the protest will be strictly legal and constructive.
I am stressing the attributes: legal and
constructive, as any form of extremism or violence is
impossible. Moreover, the Republican committee knows no other
forms of relations with the governmental and administrative
bodies but cooperation, social partnership and interaction at
all levels: shop-floor, district, oblast, or Republican. .
We will never permit irresponsible actions of
forceful heating emotions, provoking conflicts and
confrontations. Whatever tension may appear, it shall be
resolved through dialog, negotiations, and mutual compromise.
We are fully aware of the role and position of trade unions.
However, we are fully aware of the role and position of
administrative bodies. They have not only enormous power, they
are carrying tremendous responsibility for the country and the
people. While bearing it in mind, we will never let ourselves
take a posture of fault-finders and populists, or endeavor
attempts to win cheap authority through catchy slogans. We
find it unacceptable to profiteer on the difficulties and
problems of the nation and the sector, because besides
statutory requirements, we are driven by lofty principles of
ethics and morals.
Love, as we know, must be reciprocal. And as
our relations hardly look like love, we will not be over
demanding in this respect. However, we shall be demanding on
the respect and strict compliance with the Constitution, the
Law on “Trade Unions”, other legislation regulating our
activity. We cannot permit or agree upon impudent interference
into our internal affairs or attempts to take command over our
organization. Unfortunately, due to well known reasons, the
authorities here in the Center and in localities often resort
to such actions. There is no need to remind the delegates of
the tension that accompanied current reporting and election
campaign. We could only wonder how certain officers, say in
the Vitebsk Executive Committee, tried to put very tough
pressure on the trade unionists. Probably, they have already
resolved all problems of the agrarian sector and have
magnificently improved their agricultural production, together
with the wages and living standards of the rural population,
and they have to do nothing but interfere into other
organizations’ affairs and check their compliance with their
Constitution?
Having taken a look at a gloomy picture of
life in the Vitebsk region one can hardly come to such a
conclusion. Similar fervor in trying to interfere into trade
union activities can be discovered at the district or
shop-floor levels. In the Minsk oblast there was a notorious
case of Mr. V.Golovnev, former Head of the “Chervenskoje”
enterprise, who declared a “holy war” against the trade
union organization. And he was not the only one. V. Bourdyko,
Director of the Krasnoznamensk forage factory demonstratively
left the union, and 50 other employees followed the suit. It
is still unclear, however, whether this manager wanted to get
rid of a trade union or of control on the side of the
workmen’s team? Those who are acquainted with the situation
there, know that there is a strong need in such a control.
Regrettably, those who would like to form
their relations with trade union on the basis of force may
still be found from time to time among administrators. We
cannot treat such facts as normal. I repeat, we have nothing
to fight for with the local administrators and managers. We
are not seeking a special role in the country. And besides,
the state of affairs in the Agrarian and Industrial sector is
such that it requires concerted efforts of the administrators,
managers and trade unionists. The only winners will be common
cause and our long-suffering people for many years carrying
upon their shoulders an enormous load of insoluble problems.
Incidentally, this is the way of doing things
by far-seeing and wise leaders. They have properly appreciated
trade union potential in creating favorable working
environment in workmen’s teams in the present-day critical
situation.
Among those who are guided by common interests
are heads of departments in the District Executive Committees
of Ivanovo, Brest, Pinsk, Orsha, Dokshitsi, Verkhnedvinsk,
Zhitkovichi, Dobrush. Elsk, Novogrudky, Mosty, Voronovo,
Sloutsk, Molodechno, Kletsk, Krichev, Cherikov, Gorki.
In each specific case they apply their own
forms and methods of interacting with trade unions. However,
each of the above regional heads or team leaders share the
same approach: looking for common points with the trade
unions, and avoid conflicts.
We can only welcome such examples and multiply
them, making a common norm.
The development of relations and interactions
with the powers based upon social partnership principles will
remain a cornerstone of the trade union strategy and tactics
for the forthcoming period. Any organization cannot work
properly without it.
A specific activity which must be attached a
pivotal role is signing collective agreements. This is exactly
the case which helps to put together and identify all common
interests of trade unions, bodies of state administration and
employers.
As we know, at the Republican level, the
Ministry of Agriculture and our Trade Union Committee have
signed a General Tariff Agreements. The current Agreement is
valid for the years 1998-2000. The Agreement is based upon
activities directed at forming friendly working conditions for
enterprises; legal, social and economic protection of
employees in the Agrarian and Industrial Sector; enforcement
and extension of the minimum social guaranteed provided by the
state.
Have the partner fulfilled their liabilities?
We may note that in some points they have. It is true in
respect of the contests for a better output in the course of
major agricultural campaigns. It is basically true in respect
of the regulations and norms of remuneration on the basis of
the Unified tariff scale, and working out and further
development of legal instruments and recommendations dealing
with labor safety, working hours and recreation.
However, the general situation with the
General Tariff Agreement implementation leaves an impression
far from being dramatic. Black color is prevailing in this
picture. Let us go back to the ill-fated wages problem. The
Tariff Agreement provided for bringing wages closer to the
Republican average. In effect, what we have got is the
following: in 1996 wages of rural workers made 61.4 percent of
the average in the national economy, in 1997 - 57.6 percent,
in 1998 - 58.9 percent, and in 1999- 56.6 Agreement. In many
enterprises, the provisions of neither Tariff, nor General
Agreements, have been fulfilled in relation to the payment
wages on time, and their indexing. Urgent measures,
periodically taken in order to pay out debts, are helping
poorly to resolve the problem. On the contrary, they drive the
disease deep inside, deeper and deeper. At present, the
arrears make the amount of a monthly total. All this produced
various negative repercussions, including wild-cat strikes at
certain enterprises.
These are serious events, and we need to
respond promptly. As these are cases to test maturity of an
organization and its potential to be up to the workers’
expectations. The Republican Committee shall be more demanding
on implementing this -as well as other - provisions of the
Tariff Agreement.
The same goes to collective agreements. Last
year, 4730 agreements were signed at the enterprises and
organization under the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as 6
oblast and 116 district agreements. Despite all shortcomings
rooted in the failure to comply with the Tariff Agreement in
relation to wages payments and labor protection, and existing
cases of formalism, the collective agreement practice may be
given a positive estimate. We can find many examples when they
contained provisions for accommodation benefits to newly weds
and families having many children, or social allowances for
purchasing individual live-stock, child-birth benefits, etc.
We can only welcome including standards of targeted support
for developing individual plots of land, laying in forage, and
purchasing fuel.
This is exactly the case when specific
leaders- negotiating parties to the agreement - pass their
compliance test with the responsibility standards. I cannot
help mentioning the best practices. The utmost compliance with
the provisions of collective agreements protecting social and
economic interests of employees was reached in the regions of
Baranovichi, Zhabinka, Dokshitsi, Novogrudok, Sloutsk,
Cherven, Dobrush, Buda-Koshelevo, Krichev, Kirov, and other
regions, the kolkhozs “Krasny Novoselets” ( Borissov
district), Kirov kolkhoz (Poukhovici district), the Kutuzov
and “Prinemanski” kolkhozs in Novogrudok, “Rodina”
(Kalinkovichi district), sovkhoz “Pirevichski” (Zhlobin
district), Joint-stock company “Gomel Spartak
Confectionary”, Orsha Bakery Complex, and many others.
Valuable experience have been accumulated; it must be extended
to all workmen’s teams throughout the sector.
Another important area that traditionally has
been in the trade unions focus of attention, despite the
ongoing transformation, is labor protection. Due to constant
financial shortages and worn out technology and equipment, the
Agrarian and Industrial Sector has been leading in the area of
traumatism. Last year only, 117 workers died and 179 were
seriously injures at the sectoral enterprises. All in all,
within the year 3665 employees suffered different injuries.
The statistics that reminds reports from combat operations.
Indeed, the impression is that the whole industry has become a
huge battlefield and a peaceful grain-grower - a soldier -
fighting in the endless battle for grain, milk, and
percentage. Where there is a battle, there is a toll. A la
guerre come a la guerre.
We can only add that the battle is fought by a
very poorly equipped army. He have already mentioned a poor
condition of hardware. The same goes to working clothes: the
provision of drivers makes 30-50 percent. About one third of
repairing shops are not heated in winter time.
We cannot stay indifferent to such a
situation. Although there are no more technical inspectorates,
still we have got the institute of public commissions and
labor safety inspectors. Their legal authorities make it
possible to provide effective control and demand due safety
conditions from the managers. Why don’t we use the tools to
the full.
There is no doubt that today, tomorrow, and in
the more distant future the trade union related problems will
show an aggravating trend. However, it does not
presuppose any decrease of our activity in certain areas. Say,
recreation of children. Naturally, summer recreation camps are
giving a lot of headache to each of 45 District Committee
Chairs where they have got the facilities. And to the rest of
trade union activists into the bargain. But at the same time,
last year the facilities provided care and recreation to about
36 thousand children, and the kids and their parents are very
thankful for it to trade unions. Besides, this activity may
serve as a powerful means of promoting objectives and
activities of our union. Shall we abandon this troublesome
practice? Certainly not, as Ivan Gritskevich, Chairman of the
Dokshitsiy District Trade Union Committee would say. And this
is true, because it was the children summer camp that made him
one of the most authoritative figures in the District. The
same may be said about many other district committees chairs.
Hence, the third conclusion: there are not
matters of no importance for a trade union. Small activities
and matters form, as bricks, the whole edifice of our
authority and influence. There can be no matters of secondary
importance when it deals with people: be it a protest action
against poor wages in the capital, distribution of Swedish and
German humanitarian aid in Moghilev, protection of a
rank-and-file employee against lay-offs at any enterprise or
organization. A normal state of affairs is when every worker
is aware that at any moment of trouble he or she will
immediately get trade union assistance: material, moral, or
legal. He or she will find a friendly and participating
attitude on behalf of trade union staff and activists.
Frankly speaking, it is taking place in many
places, due to a mighty force of trade union activists, both
paid - although they are few: 382 out of 5,162 chairs of
shop-floor organizations - or carrying the whole burden of
trade union problems voluntarily. They make our unique Golden
reserve. Many of then sacrifice their personal time and
interests, sympathizing with the people and helping them in a
tough present-day situation. At a time of trouble people tend
to get together. To get together and to move forward their
leaders, those who may take the lead and who suffers somebody
else’s pain as their own. My presentation, as well the
Congress, is too short to recognize all their names.
Unfortunately, we can also provide another
sort of examples. We failed to protect our ranks from some
persons who have nothing to do with trade unionism and who do
not care about problems of our members. Who have got no moral
rights to work with the people. Some of them have learned the
nature of trade union work in a special way: they are sitting
quietly on friendly terms with everybody, to be on the safe
side. Another kind are those who are ready to raise a big
noise about any case, however, when it comes to practical
actions, they will nor raise a finger. These are all side
effects of our human resource policy and absence of a
principle approach when evaluating their performance. In
effect Messrs. N. Groushko and M. Kurban were re-elected as
Chairmen of the Brest City Committee and the Petrikov District
Committee respectively. The performance of some trade union
leaders has been found unsatisfactory, including that of Mr.
F. Gotovtsev, Chairman of the Smolevichi District Committee.
Although such examples are rare, this is the
case when one fly spoils the ointment and to question the
authority of the whole organization. I do not think that we
need special remedies how to get rid of such unwanted
phenomena. The principles of selection, deployment and
training and upgrading of personnel are well known. What we
need is make them working, while the methods may be various.
One of them is personnel training. There was
no district, city, or oblast conference, at which the issue
was not raised and considered. Indeed, the lack of finance is
a serious matter. Still it cannot justify us, first and
foremost, members of the Republican Committee, of our
inefficiency. There is a lot of ways to organize a
small-budget training process. As, for instance, in the
Moghilev Oblast Committee (Chairman S.Kroutovtsov). They
skillfully combine practical sessions with theory. Similar
formats are applied in the Gomel Oblast Committee and others.
Taking into account the crucial importance of
the problem, the newly elected Republican Committee shall
consider it a top priority.
The newly elected Committee will also have to
look for the answers to the most difficult issue of the
organization finance. Just to say that it is difficult is to
say nothing. We have already mentioned monthly average wages
in the agricultural production. However, the rate of
remuneration of other categories of those working in the
sector, as well as in food and processing industries and
service, may also strike one’ s imagination. Regrettably,
the scarce membership dues are not always properly transferred
to the union accounts. The problem of debts, reaching 345.5
million Roubles, has become a real disaster. The money
deducted from the paid wages is used as a working capital of
the debtors enterprises. Hence, the elected bodies at all
levels, from a trade union shop-floor up to the Republical
Committee have no means to fulfill their constitutional
functions and to finance social actions as provided by
collective and tariff agreements. For the same reason, several
months arrears of the paid staff remuneration have become a
common practice. These are conditions under in which trade
union activists have to work in many regions. No civilized way
out of the dead-end has been found so far, despite all
possible undertaken measures, including the support and
assistance of the government and local administration But we
must find it. We shall knock on all doors in the center and in
the provinces, we shall negotiate and persuade and remove all
bottlenecks on the routes of money. As to the last resort we
may apply to the court. This is not the best means as it is
fraught with well known outcomes. But, it looks as if we will
have to use it.
We will have to apply extraordinary means of
control to the leaders who for many years under different
pretexts have not found it possible to transfer the dues.
On the blacklist are the “Adamenki”
sovkhoz ( Liozno district), the kolkhozs “Krasnoje
Znamja”( Postavy district) and “Zavety Iljicha”
(Gorodok district), the Lenin and “Za
Rodinu” kolkhozs (Gomel district), “Leninets”(Zhlobin
district) the Kalinin kolkhoz (Kalinkovichi), the Volodarski
sovkhoz (Korma district), the kolkhozs “Verny Put”,
“Bolshevik”, “17 September”(Volozhin district),
“Budaunik” (Luban district), the Lenin kolkhoz
(Mstislavl), “22-d Congress” (Krichev district),
“Sosnovka” (Klimovichi district), the “Novy Dvor”
sovkhoz (Svisloch district). Understandably, it was not their
long-cherished dream to get on the list. We need to consider
their situation. However, we have to apply stricter means of
control to the leaders who are too liberal in relation to
somebody else’s financial resources.
As is clear from the above, the complicated
and conflicting processes took place in our Trade Union during
the reporting period, which found its reflection in the
strength of our organizations.
In five years the strength dropped down by 279
thousand members and made 1 ,084,000. How shall we treat the
statistics? It is rather hard to interpret it unambiguously.
On the one hand, the drop down by over 20 percent is a reason
for concern. On the other, this is not a reason to panic.
First, because the number of the employed in the sector
decreased proportionally in the same period. Secondly and most
importantly, our major problem are still due to happen. Let us
be frank, one hundred percent membership in many workmen’s
teams is marked with inertia of the past. In case the sector
starts reforms, private owners will inevitably come to the
fore despite all attempts to slow down the process, and trade
union will find it much more difficult to maintain their
membership. Then there will come the moment of truth: out
authority and influence will be severely and fully checked.
Hence the recipe how to get protected against serious
complications. It is simple: to keep activity of each
organization and its capacity to protect workers’ interests.
At the same time we need to think about ways of improving
motivation and attractiveness of trade union membership, first
of all, for the young. Because these are the reserves for
maintaining the membership and securing the future.
Dear Delegates!
In its daily activities during the reporting
period the Republican Committee was doing its best to keep
pace with the time and tackle emerging problems. Nine Plenums
were held in five years which considered the most critical
issues related to the functioning of the Trade Union and its
local units. Thirty two sittings of the Republican Committee
Presidium took place to analyze matters requiring a collective
solution. Visitors reception has been held regularly;
consultations on the legal problems of wages, labor and
housing have been offered to the public.
Amendments have been inserted to the drafts of
the Labor and Housing Codes, laws on trade unions, labor
protection, recovery of damage to the life and health of
citizens, rules of calculating the total duration of leaves,
regulations on investigating and recording industrial
accidents and diseases, decrees of the Council of Ministers
related to the labor protection and trade unions control of
it.
Proposals have been moved forward as to cancel
producing technological equipment and applying techniques
which are not in compliance with the labor and ecological
safety standards. Similar proposals have been made in relation
to introducing economic measures motivating enterprises to
provide safe and friendly working environment for the workers,
equipping them with working clothes and footwear, as well as
means of individual protection; proposals have been moved
forward to improve living conditions of those employed in the
sector.
We have not forgotten cultural issues,
including those of physical culture and sports. We have
contributed to holding amateur arts contests at enterprises,
kolkhozs and sovkhozs. And just imagine, our athletes managed
to become winners of the Republican Intersectoral Trade Union
Competition. Shall we not be proud?
However, I have not endeavored to draw a
complete picture of the Republican Trade Union Committee
activities within the reporting period. As life itself, it
cannot be covered by any report. Naturally, I could have left
unmentioned some important details. Most probably, some would
disagree with above estimates of the situation and proposals
how to find solutions to many a problem of our Trade Union.
But it means that we have something to discuss, and I hope the
delegates will use the opportunity to the full.
Could the Republican Committee work better? Of
course it could. In a way of self-criticism I may confess that
sometimes we were lacking tolerance and endurance; sometimes
we were too hasty in our estimates and conclusions; sometimes
we took immature decisions concerning specific trade union
matters. We have not used to the full the potential of
cooperation with the Sectoral Ministry and other bodies of
administration. All these shortcomings have decreased the
efficacy of our operations and provided our rank-and-file
members with well justified reasons for claims.
However, with this variety of opinions and
estimates, I dare make a conclusion that the Republican
Committee have managed to carry out organizational and
ideological management of the trade union, and to work out
acceptable strategies and tactics relevant to the specific
situation. It has saved and developed its traditions and
enthusiasm, re-established its authority which our opponents
have to reckon with. The power of voice of our Trade Union has
not been lost; it is heard in the forefront among concerted
forces acting under the umbrella of our Federation.
Now it is important not to stop where we are.
We will pass through more trials of life and test our capacity
to fulfill the mission of protecting workers’ interests. We
shall not cherish illusions about future, however we shall not
stay idle and give in to difficulties. We have at our
possession everything to overcome them: a well structured and
dirigible organization; a clear vision of our target;
assurance of our right. The only thing we have to do is to
move forward steadily, in accordance with our Constitution,
and to implement our plans at the level of a workmen’s team,
a district, a region, the country. Only in this case we may
justify our existence as a workers’ organization for
workers.
And finally! Dear Delegates. Today we are due
to elect new Republican Committee and our Leader for the term
to follow. The choice is for you. However, I can say that
personally I will regard it as honor to lead your organization
in future. I will say frankly: I want it and I am ready to
pass through a troubling and indeed risky election procedure.
Today it is troubling and risky not only due
to natural human sentiments of a candidate. Some
representatives of the government managed to make a routine
voting procedure and the Congress itself serious political
actions aimed at disrupting my re-election by all possible
means. No need to mention the methods applied by my opponents;
they are illegal in nature and shameful in form. Believe, none
of you have ever been confronted with this sort of
blackmailing and treats. One can only wonder at the primitive
conduct of those guided with their beloved ideology of
suppression and the way they have been trying to get rid of
the unwanted trade union leader. They tried their best....but
you know the rest. I got the publicity I could hardly dream
of. So, in a way I must be thankful to those who took part in
my “spin off”, using modern political slang.
Now, closer to business. Dear Delegates. I ask
for your support and your votes not because I find my own
candidature the only worthy one. It is your right to choose.
But please remember: you will choose not only your
Chairperson. It will be a more important choice between your
dignity and freedom on the one hand, and being among many of
those who are controlled and manipulated by an alien will, on
the other. And this choice is much more important than the
Chairperson’s election. Indeed, it is going to be a moment
of truth, a sort of a critical exam. The most critical,
perhaps, in your life. And not only on your own life, but also
in your children’s and grandchildren’s life. Or, as it may
turn, in the life of the Nation.
During a bit more than a year I did not ruin
the organization, neither I raised it high. However, we all
managed to make its voice heard. So that the opponents are
spending billions for fighting against the ideas of a trade
union leader. Is his power indeed so sweet? It is only too
sad, that now a piece of constructive criticism expressed in
proper words may draw a so painful and aggressive response of
the power that be. What shall we expect of the future?
There is another well known point of view:
everything used to be quiet without Jaroshuk. I am not in a
position to evaluate this quietness and what it meant. You
know it pretty well. I do not think we need to come back to
that time. One thing goes without doubts: if they do it, they
are scared and they have to reckon with us. This is an
achievement in itself.
I would like to repeat what I said at the
Plenum where many of you were participating. If you elect me -
you may rely on me. Many people know well that Jaroshuk is a
reliable person: he has never let anybody down; he has
betrayed no one. He has never been engaged in anything foul. I
will be the same, and in the same way I will be form my
relations with you and improve the organizational authority,
in case I am elected.
Among the audience I recognize familiar and
dear faces. We have been knowing each other only a year or so
but my feeling is that it has been all my life. I realize, it
is a painful decision and many of you are taken by natural
human fears. But I am sure you will put together your inner
forces and overcome the fears. Do dot let these disgusting and
sticky feelings overcome your honesty. Otherwise, never in
your life you will get redeemed of the sin of treason.
Dear Delegates! I have always been optimistic.
And will remain such. The good is stronger that the evil,
which we will attempt to prove today. And we will be a
success. I believe in you, my dearest comrades.
God bless you.
Thank you.
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