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Lukashenka issues warning over controversial decree

Alyaksandr Lukashenka warned on Friday that his controversial decree restricting employees' right to leave woodworking plants should be "implemented unconditionally."

The Belarusian leader made the remark while visiting woodworking company Vitsyebskdrew one week after he issued the decree.

He has inspected woodworking plants across the country since November, often severely criticizing what he describes as their too slow pace of equipment modernization.

"You must work as if in a time of war," Mr. Lukashenka said while addressing Vitsyebskdrew employees. He noted that he had assumed "great responsibility" by signing the decree and said that he was being "thrashed" for the measure by foreign countries, "from America to Russia."

"That's why I will not forgive anyone. You must work day and night. The time has come for you to exert yourself," the government's news agency BelTA quoted him as saying.

Under the decree, employees of woodworking plants may not quit their job without the employer's permission before the expiry of their labor contract.

The decree was signed one week after the Belarusian leader warned that he would ban workers from leaving the country's woodworking plants until the completion of their modernization.

The restriction is expected to be lifted once the modernization of the company is over.

The decree is also aimed at discouraging workers from getting fired for poor work. Under the decree, employees that will be fired for performing their duties improperly will have to repay all of their monthly bonuses to the enterprise. //BelaPAN