Zinaida Mikhnyuk: May 1 Is Not Some Spring And Labor Holiday, But Day Of Fighting For Rights
- 1.05.2019, 14:39
Solidarity and the thirst for justice, coming from the people, can change the situation.
The day of international solidarity of working people in its present form arose in the mid-19th century thanks to strikes, rallies and protests of the labor movement, which put forward an eight-hour working day as one of the key demands.
Where does the May Day, the holiday of spring and labor, originate from?
Acting Chairman of the REP Trade Union Zinaida Mikhnyuk has told the praca-by.info about the true meaning of the May Day celebration:
- We, as an independent trade union, believe that this is the day when people can once again report on existing problems: low wages, violations of their rights, decline in living standards.
Few people get the promised $ 500, especially in the regions. But people remain silent.
- Over the years of anti-people politics and intimidation, a stereotype has formed in the society that there is no point in taking action - it will only get worse. But this is so untrue! History has proven many times that only solidarity and the thirst for justice, coming from the people, can change the situation.
- The Soviet propaganda also contributed to the fact that for the society this day is a time of the so-called May Day rallies, picnics, but no more.
- This year we abandoned the classic scenario of holding the rally on May 1 within the framework of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions.
I want to note that in this situation we are in unequal conditions with the pro-government Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, which does not have to pay for the services of the police, ambulance and other services to conduct its mass events. After the introduction of the changes to the “Law on Mass Events” it is very heavy money for independent organizations, which for some reason we have to put in the budget. We believe that this was done, among other things, with the aim of suppressing possible mass actions.