Despite the Minsk City Executive Committee banning the entrepreneurs’ rally, which was to be held on March 14, the leader of the “Perspective” Anatoly Shumchanka and politician Mikalai Statkevich invited traders to the building of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties on the same day to express collective protest to the norms of the Decree No 222.
12:35 The action is over.
12:33“We are waiting for the authorities’ response. And then we will decide on further actions. I think it is in the interests of officials to do everything to prevent entrepreneurs from petitioning Lukashenka,” Anatol Shumchanka says.
The leader of the Perspective is about to seek the city authorities’s permision for holding a march of entrepreneurs again. In his opinion, if an action is sanctioned, more people may join it.
The entrepreneurs are also set to complain Alyaksandr Lukashenka of inspections of selling spots and confiscation of goods if such action continues.
12:21 “I can accept your petitions,” a press officer of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties told Anatol Shumchanka in the lobby of the ministry building. He refused to come outside and talk to the protesters, but expressed readiness to file hundreds of petitions.
11:52 “Up to 400 people are here. I wish there were more participants. I believe we should forget about all the conflicts and support all actions of entrepreneurs. If we keep together, we will have a strong chance to achieve our purpose,” entrepreneur Ales Makayeu told belsat.eu.
The protesters sign petitions for the annulment of Decree No 222.
11:40 Poet Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu, a former presidential candidate and political prisoner, reads his poems.
11:35 The protesters chant: ‘We need work!’ and ‘Minister, come outside!’ They want to talk to Minister Syarhei Nalivayka.
11: 30 Former political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich’s speech is greeted with cheers:
“In our country, there are active and energetic people, who have never asked for anything of this state. They started own businesses themselves. They create new jobs, pay taxes – and officials use this money to show off. They are trying to pick your pocket. In fact, they deprive you of opportunities to feed your families. Belarusian officials, if you have brought the country to a deadlock, you should look for money in your own pockets! Look, how many siloviki Belarus has – it is them who should be laid off!”
“People, hold on, fight for what is yours. One should not give away what is theirs. The nation is looking at you. If you are able to defend all what belongs to you, the nation will be able to do the same!” Statkevich said.
11:20 “My aquaintances, market vendors, move to Russia, sometimes together with their families. I do not want to move to Russia,” a woman, who has been selling goods for 20 years, told Belsat TV.
11:17 Policemen have start to draw up protocols.
“We went to the same school. Now we are on the different sides of the fence. He is not a bad fellow,” a protester tells about his former schoolmate who is drawing up a protocol now.
11:03 About 200 people have come to participate in the action.
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.
Some time ago the Belarusian authorities announced their intention to meet the entrepreneurs halfway. The fine for selling goods without certificates may be reduced by 100 times, Pyotr Arushanyants, a representative of the Ministry of Economy, said.
“They [authorities] say: do not participate in the protest action on March 14 – and perhaps we will reduce the fine. But if people do not come, they will not do anything. And I would like to address our entrepreneurs: look, the authorities are giving ground! If there is a lot of participants on March 14th, they will be making more concessions!” Mikalai Statkevich urged Belarusians to show up at the action.
