Minsk: Self-employed businessmen set to hold protest action, talk to Lukashenka


Belarusian self-employed entrepreneurs have applied to hold a protest action in Bangalore Square in Minsk. They announced the action at the business forum which is taking place in the Beijing hotel on Monday.

Anatol Shumchanka, the leader of the public association ‘Perspective’ considers organising a protest action necessary because Belarusian authorities turn a deaf ear to businessmen. Shumchanka used to have a bies against such events, but recently spontaneous rallies of entrepreneurs have occurred in a number of Belarusian cities.

Self-employed businesspeople are set to demand direct talks with Belarusian president Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Mr Shumchanka stressed.

About a thousand persons are taking part in the forum.

Beginning 2016, Belarusian self-employed businessmen selling clothes and shoes have to start working in accordance with the new rules that came into force on January, 1. Lukashenka’s Decree 222 of March 16, 2014 canceled the previous benefits in the required package of accompanying documents for the goods and ordered to get for them not only consignment documents, but also a certificate for compliance with the Eurasian Economic Community.

Representatives of entrepreneurs’ movement argued that the Russian market, where they bring cheap Turkish or Chinese clothing from, such documents are difficult to obtain. As a result, the businessman are fined and their goods are seized.

Self-employed businessmen’s good years finished, president Alyaksandr Lukashenka said in mid January.

“They should realize that the certification of products that we had introduced is the first step. All products should have accompanying documents. We need transparent trade,” he stressed.

Read also: Belarusian entrepreneurs concerned over new work regulations

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