Over 300 employees switch to independent trade union at state-run refinery

At the Naftan oil refinery in Navapolatsk, more than 330 workers quit the state trade union to join the independent one in August and September, Naftan employee Volha Brytsikava said in an interview with Radio Liberty.

In August, the woman took part in gathering signatures under a collective letter to the leadership of the association demanding the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka and the holding of new presidential elections. Then, says Brytsikava, about 3.5 thousand signatures were collected.

According to the woman, the collection of signatures stopped after the pressure on the workers from the side of administration began.

As to the current mood at the enterprise, she said the following: “Part of the staff is in the old mood and does not hide it, while another part is in a certain disagreement. They are unhappy but afraid to speak out.”