Only official trade unions celebrate Labour Day

Labour Day is celebrated on May 1 in Belarus. The holiday was confirmed in 1998. The Belarusian Federation of Trade Unions will conduct a festive meeting and a concert. The event will start near the National Library at 11 a.m. Mass celebration will be organized in Minsk parks – Horky Park, 50th anniversary of October Revolution park and Chalyuskintsau Park.

Independent trade unions are not planning any actions today. One of the leaders of the independent trade unions movement Alyaksandr Buhvostau has informed BelaPAN that independent trade unions are unable to organize a protest action now and they do not want to take part in the official trade unions’ action.

Buhvostau stressed that the rights of Belarusian workers are always being violated. They cannot protect themselves in any way. Any attempts of protecting your rights will lead to dismissal. The leader of trade unions thinks that Soviet workers had more rights.