The authorities are engaged in converting the flagship of Belarusian economy – the Republic's Unitary Enterprise Production Association (RUE PA) "Belaruskali" – into a joint-stock company. The further step will probably be in its privatization. Nikolai Novik, vice-chairman of the BNP (Belarusian Independent Trade Union), who has been leading the Independent Trade Union of Miners (NPG) at the "Belaruskali" for 16 years already, explained why the trade unions should be 100 percent against privatization on the conditions offered today by the state, what part of the enterprise belongs to the workers and what should be done to restore the historical justice.

The comment to the Decree, published in the official website of the Head of the State (President Lukashenko) runs that at converting a number of enterprises into open joint-stock companies, 100 percent of the stock (shares) remains in the state ownership. The shares are not subject to sale under any preferential terms for money and cannot be exchanged for the 'Imuschestvo' (Property) Nominal Privatization Coupons.

"We're against such privatization," said Nikolai Novik. "I'm against it as the vice-chairman! If we talk about this step, we should recollect year 1998, when the labour collective of 'Belaruskali' was in fact deprived of a part of the net profit owned by shares in the stock of the enterprise. The government then withdrew the shares saying that such enterprises, like 'Belaruskali' should be ever owned by state."

"Then, people were enticed by the little money paid out by the administration in exchange for their shares. Not thinking about any future possible course of events, the workers then supported the initiative of the employer. In that year people gave up 26 percent of the shares of the enterprise – that is, 26 percent of the company's profits – huge money. They believed the words of the bureaucratic nomenclature and deceived themselves."

"And why should we recollect the events of 1998?"

"Because since the authorities have now decided to denationalize the industry, they must think about the people, whom they deceived in 1998. I believe that today the labour collective of the enterprise shall have back the 26 percent of property, and, certainly, without offending those who came to the enterprise after 1998: additional 5 percent of the stock should be allocated. Once these shares are returned to the labour collective, we'll be able to treat such privatization as open and fair."

"But when bureaucrats hold privatization for themselves; by pushing ordinary people away from the property, from managing it, and hold it for their own future, for the future of their children – such privatization shouldn't progress. Today, we're 100 percent against such privatization."

"You think that bureaucrats will read your proposal and follow it, don't you?"

"The current authorities are doing everything since 1994 to deprive the working people from any roots of self-management. The law on enterprises, which gave at least some function to workers to manage their enterprises and control over their operation, was cancelled. The law on property, which assumed the right of labour collectives to own property, was lost; and today Belarus holds some sort of nomenclature privatization only."

"In this case the authorities should not proclaim that 'the government is for people!' The power is certainly for people, but the property and money – are for the nomenclature. But any rights begin with property rights. Why do we need any other rights, when we have no right to the property?"

"Is it realistic today to return the shares lost by workers in 1998?"

"Quite realistic. The first thing, which should be done by the labour collective, is to demand back the shares earned by people through hard labour. If they disregard the workers' opinion, then, excuse me – what people are they? Why do they treat us as cattle?!"

"There are rumours today that some of the shares will be sold to Chinese partners. In your opinion, can it anyhow influence the working conditions and labour payment to the workers of the enterprise?"

"We are told fairy tales that with the advent of a foreign proprietor an inflow of investments will come, and it's just a blessing for the Association. But in fact today we can attract investments and develop by ourselves. The construction of two new mines has confirmed it. Today, by using the assets of 'Belaruskali' the government wants to 'support the trousers' of the whole Belarusian economy in order to preserve their power. However, what is the benefit for the labour collective in this case?"

"Out of all investors, the Chinese are the worst variant for the workers. Apart from profits, there are other aspects of manufacturing facilities: production culture; economic literacy; preparedness of the management. There's no due production without ethics and morals. German, English, French or other western investors know about it, unlike Chinese ones. Pumping money out and robbing local workers will give no good to Belarus. Look at the Chinese workers, their vulnerability and poverty; and they want to transfer all those 'achievements' to Belarus."

"The social basis for the workers of our enterprise was created by members of the NPG back in early 1990s, and today, step by step, we are losing what we had achieved then. But the base and the basis still exist; they're here so far. And after these secret tenders, the rest of them may evaporate; and people will remain deprived of their civil rights."

"What mechanisms do the trade unions possess to change the situation?"

"First of all – it's openness. Today, we don't know what happens. We are unaware of figures and facts. If the information is available, the position of the trade union would be clearer. In 1998, we possessed information, and we demonstratively quitted that shameful conference, where people were deprived of their property."

"The trade union should also voice out its position publicly. The trade union can adequately react to the situation, inform the workers, react publicly and attract the attention of the broad public to the problem; in particular – through holding public actions. This is the right of the trade union."

"Apart from actions, it is necessary to bag subscriptions and send letters to the respective bodies of power and management. The letters should warn bosses against hidden privatization."

"When the trade union stands against humiliating people, then a bureaucrat will think ten times about his actions. Today, trade unions remain silent, and wait for something in this silence."

"I believe that such silent position is wrong; however, I can't say that I express the opinion of the whole NPG. This is my personal vision of the current situation."