Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MINSK960
2007-11-20 12:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
ENTREPRENEURS RALLY AGAINST HIRING LAWS
how-toVZCZCXRO1107 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSK #0960 3241257 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 201257Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6662 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0370 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1735 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS MINSK 000960
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR BO
SUBJECT: ENTREPRENEURS RALLY AGAINST HIRING LAWS
Ref: Minsk 849
UNCLAS MINSK 000960
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR BO
SUBJECT: ENTREPRENEURS RALLY AGAINST HIRING LAWS
Ref: Minsk 849
1. (SBU) About 800 members of the Perspektiva entrepreneurs'
association protested November 19 in Minsk's Bangalore Square Park
against the Lukashenko regime's plans to limit hiring by individual
entrepreneurs. Under banners that read, "Getting married,
employment assured," "No family members -- Kiosk for sale," and
"With laws like these, we'll lose our shirts," market vendors
protested a presidential edict set to enter into force January 1,
2008 that will limit individual entrepreneurs to a maximum of three
employees, all of whom must be close family members (reftel).
2. (SBU) The demonstrators were a diverse group, ranging in age from
early twenties to mid-fifties, with comparable numbers of men and
women. Judging by protestors' signs, the rally included
participation from Minsk, Mogilyov, Gomel and Slonim. Poloffs
observed the peaceful protest rally, which had been approved in
advance by Minsk city authorities. Electricity, not always
available for demonstrations, powered the small PA system that
organizers used to address the crowd. Police presence at the
demonstration was the lightest for any protest action this year.
Several plainclothes officers were present at the periphery of the
gathering, and one paddy wagon and three additional police vehicles
were parked two blocks from the demonstration site.
Comment
--------------
3. (SBU) Though it received little advance fanfare, Perspektiva's
demonstration was well organized and well attended, particularly for
a rally by a single organization. It is proof that Belarusians can
and will protest the regime's measures when their livelihoods are at
stake.
Stewart
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR BO
SUBJECT: ENTREPRENEURS RALLY AGAINST HIRING LAWS
Ref: Minsk 849
1. (SBU) About 800 members of the Perspektiva entrepreneurs'
association protested November 19 in Minsk's Bangalore Square Park
against the Lukashenko regime's plans to limit hiring by individual
entrepreneurs. Under banners that read, "Getting married,
employment assured," "No family members -- Kiosk for sale," and
"With laws like these, we'll lose our shirts," market vendors
protested a presidential edict set to enter into force January 1,
2008 that will limit individual entrepreneurs to a maximum of three
employees, all of whom must be close family members (reftel).
2. (SBU) The demonstrators were a diverse group, ranging in age from
early twenties to mid-fifties, with comparable numbers of men and
women. Judging by protestors' signs, the rally included
participation from Minsk, Mogilyov, Gomel and Slonim. Poloffs
observed the peaceful protest rally, which had been approved in
advance by Minsk city authorities. Electricity, not always
available for demonstrations, powered the small PA system that
organizers used to address the crowd. Police presence at the
demonstration was the lightest for any protest action this year.
Several plainclothes officers were present at the periphery of the
gathering, and one paddy wagon and three additional police vehicles
were parked two blocks from the demonstration site.
Comment
--------------
3. (SBU) Though it received little advance fanfare, Perspektiva's
demonstration was well organized and well attended, particularly for
a rally by a single organization. It is proof that Belarusians can
and will protest the regime's measures when their livelihoods are at
stake.
Stewart