Anatoly Zmitrovich: Entrepreneurs might become a catalyst for protest moods

The government is getting ready to abolish simplified procedures for the Customs Union’s technical regulations. What is to become of that?

In the interview with the EuroBelarus Information Service Anatoly Zmitrovich, who is among the leaders of the entrepreneurial movement, outlines the situation with the abolishment of the simplified procedures within the Customs Union.

- The authorities are planning to introduce changes to the decree of the President No.285, which has been regulating entrepreneurial activity for the last ten years. According to the accurate procedure described in the decree No.4, entrepreneurs should get three months to adapt to the situation, which is impossible if the changes are introduced in December.

If the government doesn’t want to create distribution centers where the entrepreneurs can get goods for sale at a reasonable price, we will consider the actions of the government as a peculiar ban on work. If such situation appears, individual entrepreneurs will stop paying single tax and take time to study new documents.

- It is hardly a threat to the authorities. Entrepreneurs will only harm themselves…

- This plan is designed only for the first time. We are tired of constant changes introduced by the authorities; so we will defend our right to work by cooperation with the civil society organizations, political parties, by means of forming coalitions.

In February 2012 Aliaksandr Lukashenka warned entrepreneurs against any “negative influence on the society” by “financing “the fifth column”, otherwise “it will mean that businessmen joined in the political struggle”.  After analyzing the situation, we came to the conclusion that he wasn’t talking about opposition parties, which are working according to the legislation and party rules. Opposition is not the fifth column; it is rather the officials, who stab the state in the back in difficult times. During the last five years state officials raised 1.2 billion dollars. So we will follow President’s instructions and won’t “finance the fifth column”, that is the officials.

- So far strikes, mass protests are not on the list of entrepreneurs’ potential actions, aren’t they?

- Striking is not enough; nonpayment of single tax is much more threatening for the authorities. In Homel region revenue from single tax makes up 14.3 per cent, and this figure is much higher in Minsk, not to mention the rent, income tax and social security tax.

If entrepreneurs won’t be able to work in January, they are ready to man the barricades. The fear to lose the job is much bigger than the fear to go on mass strike. In situation when we can lose our job, entrepreneurs might become a catalyst for protest moods.