Lukashenko on relation to labour migrants in Belarus

On May 22nd, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko explained how labour migrants would be treated in Belarus, when addressing personnel matters. Reminder: on May 21st the Head of State signed Decree No. 202 On Increasing the Role of Employers in the Field of External Labour Migration, which stipulates employers’ responsibility for foreign workers.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the focus will be gradually shifted to the regions and districts to avoid overpopulating Minsk and other major cities.

“If we’ve decided to build an enterprise there [in a region] — there will be accommodation as well. So will the labour resources. As most of the world — with the exception of some Asian and African countries — we’re facing a labour shortage. Fortunately, it’s not a crisis yet, but we must prevent it from becoming the one. That is why we have made the decision to attract personnel, primarily from our former Soviet republics. They are coming to us themselves. But who to hire is your concern, the chairmen of district executive committees and, first of all, the heads of enterprises. If some industrial enterprise needs people, let the executive hire these people who come to Belarus — from different countries, we do not have restrictions for anyone. Hire, sign a contract and work with them. If they break the contract — immediately report it to the police, they inform the centre and we deport them from here. They will be immediately deported from Belarus. But those who come to us to work and earn a living, people escaping difficult circumstances and unemployment in their home countries, often with children— we must treat them as we would our own Belarusians. Treat them decently and they will respond in kind. This is your responsibility and the duty of the executives. Take action!” the Head of State stated.